The number of same-sex couples adopting in Wales fell to its lowest in five years, according to new statistics from Stats Wales. The figures - published in November - reveal that just 35 adoptions in 2021 were to same-sex couples. This is the lowest number since 2016, when 20 took place. In 2020, 55 adoptions in Wales were to same-sex couples.

In total there were 265 adoptions in Wales in 2021. LGBT+ people accounted for 13.2 per cent of adoptive parents in the statistics – or 1 in 8. This proportion is also a drop from 2020, when 1 in 5 adoptions in Wales were to same-sex couples.

The figures are the first released by any country in the UK to cover a full reporting year affected by COVID.

Tor Docherty, New Family Social Chief Executive, said: ‘The turbulence of the pandemic may explain the drop in adoptions in 2021. But the dive in the numbers of same-sex couples adopting is very worrying. We know from previous years that LGBT+ people play a key resource in the pool of adoptive parents.

'The needs of children awaiting adoption are paramount. Agencies need to ensure they consider the widest possible range of potential parents. LGBT+ people can and want to adopt in Wales. New Family Social will reach out to agencies in Wales to identify why the figures dropped in 2021.'

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