Across the UK there are more than 65,000 children in care.

Yet across the country, attitudes towards certain sectors of the community are acting as a barrier to adoptions which could give a child a secure, happy home.

Adding to concerns that race is acting as a barrier to adoptions, a poll commissioned by the children’s charity Barnardo’s shows that more than one-third of the public do not think gay couples can parent as well as heterosexual ones.

In Yorkshire, more than one-third (35 per cent) of people hold this opinion, the survey discovered.

Only 3.75 per cent of children adopted in England last year were adopted by same-sex couples, yet children are still desperately waiting to be adopted. Alarmingly, a quarter of those with an official adoption plan in place – which outlines key processes and timescales – never find a family.

“We know that there is a percentage of people who don’t feel that same-sex couples should adopt children and look after them,” says Dot Jarvis, assistant director for family placement with Barnardo’s adoption, fostering and short breaks service.

The charity is seeking to iron out prejudices and give children the best possible start in life, with caring parents.

“We have some wonderful same-sex carers who are looking after children with significant difficulties.” One female couple adopted two boys who had difficulties as a result of their background. The women have done wonders.

“And we have another couple who adopted two troubled children and have done a magnificent job. The children have a nice family life, with parents who love them. They are loved and cared for – that is the priority.”

She adds: “Same-sex couples are no different – they are just people who are wanting to look after children who need a family. They have the same skills to look after a child as any other parents. It is not about someone’s sexuality or whether they are married, single or whatever. It is about their skills and ability to care for a child.”

The service, based in Queen’s Road, Bradford, places youngsters from across the UK with adoptive parents and carers from across Yorkshire.

“We look for and assess and prepare, people who want to adopt children, and then take them through a panel to be approved as adopters,” says Dot. They also approve those who want to foster and short-break carers.

The number of same-sex couples applying to adopt children is increasing. “They are getting more rights and feeling more valued as part of society,” says Dot. “They are gaining in confidence and are able to come forward.”

Celebrity couples such as Elton John and his partner David Furnish have raised the profile of same-sex parenting. They attempted to adopt a 14-month-old boy from Ukraine, but were turned down due to Sir Elton’s age and the fact that he is not married – the former Soviet republic does not recognise same-sex unions. They have since had a baby, Zachary, through a surrogate.

Marcel and Meryl, from West Yorkshire, became adoptive parents to their two sons, now 17 and 18, through Barnardo’s. In response to the survey, Marcel says: “I think the boys would have something to say about that. Nobody knows if they are going to be good parents, and no child comes with a manual, so everybody does the best they can. I don’t think a same-sex couple is going to find that any different to a heterosexual couple.”

Another couple, Barry and David, are in the process of being approved as Barnardo’s adopters. They say: “Love is love at the end of the day. There is nothing we can’t offer a child that a heterosexual couple can.”

Earlier this year, Barnardo’s new chief executive Anne Marie Carrie hit out at those who say children do best when raised by a man and a woman. And she believes such views are harmful to the welfare of children and must be challenged.

“To suggest that a same-sex couple is not as able to raise a child as a heterosexual couple is at once absurd and unsubstantiated,” she said.

* For more information, contact Barnardo’s Adoption, Fostering and Short Breaks in Bradford on barnardos.org.uk/ fosteringandadoption, or ring 08702 408342.