Adoption England, in collaboration with CVAA UK, has launched a new Transracial Adoption Position Statement, alongside accompanying Language, Identity and Terminology Guidance for the adoption sector.

Co-produced with stakeholders from across the adoption community, the publications aim to support informed, respectful and inclusive practice, with children’s identity, heritage and sense of belonging at the heart of decision-making.

The position statement sets out a shared commitment to finding safe, loving and stable families for children without unnecessary delay, while recognising the importance of their racial, ethnic, cultural, religious and heritage identities. It provides guidance on family finding and matching, including when considering transracial adoption. It highlights the need for thoughtful, anti-racist and child-centred decision-making, as well as ensuring adopters are able to support a child’s identity and wider needs.

The accompanying guidance recognises that language around race, identity and heritage is constantly evolving, and emphasises the importance of using respectful, accurate terminology that reflects how children, young people and families describe themselves.

Together, the publications provide a shared foundation for strengthening inclusive and anti-racist practice across the adoption sector, helping ensure children’s identities, experiences and long-term wellbeing remain central to adoption decisions.