All these mixed race babies....how many are mixed white/Asian?

[mynewnickname]

And how many of those are from Hindu rather than Muslim backgrounds?

I'm just wondering how many would reflect our own ethnic backgrounds as I believe SWs prefer a match if we were to go down the adoption route.

Hi mynewnickname - I don't know the answer, but I do know an Indian woman (with white dp) who adopted a baby through NCH Action For Children Black Families Project. I don't know her religion, but she told me that they specialise in hard to place children, including children from very specific ethnic/cultural backgrounds. So it might be worth asking them.

From our own research in the past - many more white / Muslim, white / Sikh than white /Hindu.

Also more white / Punjabi background, white / Pakistani background than white / Gujarati background

which sadly meant it was no go for us and we set off down the intercountry route.............

Hope it's a more positive outlook for you. Worth contacting agencies to check on the current situation.
Best of luck

From our own research in the past - many more white / Muslim, white / Sikh than white /Hindu.

Also more white / Punjabi background, white / Pakistani background than white / Gujarati background

which sadly meant it was no go for us and we set off down the intercountry route.............

Hope it's a more positive outlook for you. Worth contacting agencies to check on the current situation.
Best of luck

Were you told that it was no go because your backgrounds didn't fit the children's then?

DH is from a Gujarati background and I'm 'white british'. We don't particularly do much Indian 'stuff' though so we probably wouldn't say the right things anyway....

I'm guessing that SW want you to make a big deal about ensuring the kids get tons of influence from 'their' culture?

We don't do much of that with ds.

I think the whole process of being assessed might do my head in, which is sad really.

Yes their aim is to ensure that the children have parents who are prepared to give some thought to this and in some cases the relinquishing birth parents may have requested that a specific religion is followed or language spoken. If your child would be part of an Indian family (your in laws?) then this can happen without you having to do that much esp if you eg celebrate festivals with them, eat Indian food and present a positive image of their culture.Some people do find the process very challenging though and the thought that you have been able to choose not to do these things with your birth child but would be expected to do with your adopted child is something you might possibly find difficult. Have you contacted your local authority - they usually run information sessions where you can find out more about the children they have in care.

I'm just wondering if you as a couple would consider a non-mixed race (i.e. just Asian) child, or whether you'd consider a child of the same religion but different ethnicity? Or mixed white/Asian but where the birth father was Asian and unknown? Or even a child with a complex ethnicity e.g. black/Asian and white?

We have been told that birth parents can specify religion, legally, but ethnicity is up to social workers. If the birth father is out of the picture and the birth mother does not specify a religion then it might be possible to be more flexible.

Dear all,

Firstly, thanks Hester for the mention!

We were formerly called NCH Black Families and are now called Action for Children Black Families.

We have an information session in London on the 27th of January where you can find out more about adoption and more about us.

Date: Tuesday, 27th January 2009
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Address: St Stevenson Hall, 85 Highbury Park, London, N5 1UD

Please drop us an email at [email protected] and we will send you the address and directions. Alternatively you can give a call for more information - 020 7582 3687

We look forward to meeting you mynewnickname and anyone else who is interested in finding out more.

Action for Children Black Families
www.actionforchildren.org.uk/adoption