Adoption Services (AS)

Performance Indicators

5.76 Per Cent of Children Eligible for Adoption Placed in Adoption Homes

Rationale

Evidence has shown that children require a stable and continuous relationship with a nurturing caregiver to maximize physical, social emotional and cognitive development. If this relationship is not possible with the birth family or other Out-of-Care (OCO) options, then for children whom the ministry has legal permanent guardianship (CYIC), adoption is an alternative.

This indicator trended upward between late 2013 and early 2016, driven by strategic initiative in April of 2014 and 2015, and investments to increase permanency for children and youth in care. Following a peak in early 2016, the rate declined, particularly for Indigenous children. The trend remained relatively flat until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, which led to a further drop. Since then, rates have remained lower, with a slight rebound observed in early 2025 driven by non-Indigenous children, while rates for Indigenous children continued to decline.

The adoption rate for Indigenous CYIC continues to be significantly lower than that of their Non-Indigenous counterparts. While both groups experienced a decline at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indigenous rate has continued to fall more sharply through 2024 and early 2025. This persistent disparity may reflect ongoing challenges such as the need for culturally appropriate placements and sibling group considerations. In contrast, the Non-Indigenous adoption rate has shown signs of stabilization and modest recovery.

Despite continued efforts to find homes for youth aged 12 or older, the adoption indicator remains primarily driven by placements of children under 12. Over the past three years, children under 12 accounted for approximately 84% of all adoptions, reflecting a slight decline from the previous period but still representing the vast majority of placements.

5.77 Time Taken for CYIC to go from Permanent Status to Adoption Placement

Rationale

For CYIC who are no longer able to return to their family, achieving permanency through adoption is a desirable option. Research has found that a longer history in out of home care, as well as a child’s age at time of adoption are risk factors strongly associated with an adoption placement’s chances for success, meaning that once it is determined that adoption is the best option for a child, it should take place without unnecessary delays.

The provincial median time from permanent ward to adoption placement has decreased to 23 months, down from 32 months in the previous year. However, the wait time for Indigenous children remains substantially higher at 47 months, up from 40 months, while Non-Indigenous children experience a shorter median wait of 21 months, a notable improvement from 28.5 months in 2024. The proportion of placements for Indigenous children averaged approximately 41% over the past three fiscal years (2022/23 to 2024/25), which is lower than the 46% average observed in the preceding three years (2019/20 to 2021/22). While cumulative placement rates have improved slightly compared to the baseline, disparities in wait times and placement shares persist.

Historically, it has been easier to place younger children in adoption homes than older ones, and this trend continued in 2024/25. Children under the age of 12 experienced a median wait time of 24.5 months, down from 28.5 months in the previous year. In contrast, children aged 12 and over faced a significantly longer median wait time of 69 months, an increase from 57.5 months last fiscal year.

Since there were no adoption placements for youth aged 18, these ages are missing from the bar graph above.

Of course, it is expected that children who had to wait longer for their adoptive families were older when they were placed but data also show that a child’s chances of finding an adoptive family are greater in the first two years in permanent care. Currently, the ministry initiative continues to address both faster placements for new permanent wards as well as trying to find homes for the older children who have been waiting for a long time. With a continued focus on permanency, it is expected that most children will find a permanent option earlier in their care experience.

The current performance numbers for this indicator show, in general, an increase in waiting time for a placement compared to the baseline period of September 2012.

On average, Indigenous children experience longer periods between being eligible for adoption and being placed in an adoptive home. Since the baseline period of September 2012, the wait period for Indigenous children has increased by 1 month (from 46 months to 47 months), while the wait period for Non-Indigenous children has increased by 3.5 months (from 17.5 months to 21 months). Compared to the previous year, the wait time for Indigenous children increased from 40 months to 47 months, while the wait time for Non-Indigenous children decreased from 29 months to 21 months.