There are 2,100 children waiting to be adopted - could you give a child a home in or around the Greater Manchester region?
ON NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEK 2021, ADOPTION COUNTS ARE ON A MISSION TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE NEED OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS
MONDAY, October 18 marks the beginning of National Adoption Week 2021.
Recent figures from the Department for Education reveal that in England alone, there are more than 80,000 children in the care of local authorities, with more than 2,000 of these children currently waiting to find their adoptive forever family.
National Adoption Week 2021 aims to educate and inform people on the process of modern adoption today, with a rounded, honest, and inclusive portrayal of the journey, showcasing the highs and lows, and championing all the voices involved in the process that are often less heard.
These include adopted children, adopted adults, adoptive parents, birth parents, and the adoption and social care workforce that work tirelessly to get children into loving permanent homes.
Adoption Counts is a local adoption agency, covering the adoption services of five local authorities: Cheshire East Council, Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council and Trafford Council.
Adopting a child is a transformative and exciting experience, and could be the best decision you ever make.
But Adoption Counts also understands that the process can be dauting at times.
That’s why they pride themselves on supporting those considering adoption, promising to guide you through the process from the moment you enquire to the day your child joins your family, and beyond.
Gail Spray, head of service at Adoption Counts, said: “Myself and my colleagues would like to take this opportunity to raise awareness of the need of adoptive parents across the country.
“Each adoption is as unique as the people being brought together.
“In order to meet the needs of children waiting for an adoptive family, at Adoption Counts, we encourage enquiries from diverse sections of the community, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, race or faith.”
Adoption Counts is currently making a special appeal to the Black African and Caribbean community to come forward and consider adoption. Children of a Black African and Caribbean background often wait longer to be adopted, alongside sibling groups of two or more.
Adoption Counts have received hundreds of enquiries since their launch in July 2017, but are finding it particularly challenging to find adopters who will consider Black
African and Caribbean children.
Whilst these children may wait longer, black adopters often find a match with their child, or children, sooner.
Adoption Counts welcomes mixed couples as well as single people, and it doesn’t matter if you are co-habiting, divorced or widowed, regardless of your sexual orientation.
“Adoption Counts wants to hear from anyone who feels they could offer a child a nurturing and loving home,” Gail added.
“The Black community are well known for their positive and altruistic view of adoption, family values and strong community networks.”
As well the life changing and amazing experience of becoming an adoptive parent, adopters will receive vital support and training from Adoption Counts to help them understand the experiences their children may have faced.
They also offer support groups for adults and activity days for the children to meet others who have been adopted.
To mark National Adoption Week 2021, the National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group (NARSG) has released two new surveys, looking at the nation’s understanding of modern adoption and exploring the real experiences of those personally or professionally involved.
The research shows the reality of adoption in 2021, highlighting the many benefits, the challenges, and the perception gaps still to be addressed.
Despite the need for more to be done for the public to have a better understanding of adoption, one in five adults (20%) say they would consider adopting in the future, and nearly nine in 10 (86%) believe that adopting a child would be rewarding.
In the past 10 years, 40,920 adoptions have taken place in England, the vast majority of which have been incredibly beneficial and positive to the children and families involved.
National Adoption Week 2021 aims to shine a light on the real-life stories of those working directly to help provide safe and loving homes for children, and acknowledge others impacted by adoption.
National Adoption Week 2021 brings some of these issues and voices to the forefront in an emotive short film by illustrator and adoptive parent, Garry Parsons.
The four-minute animated film features the life stories and real voices of six people that have had their lives changed by adoption, birth mother Anna*, single mum and adopter Sarah*, social worker Paula, 11-year-old Roman who was adopted age five, 19-year-old Tiegan who was adopted age four, and Sue who supported her daughter through the adoption process.
Tiegan, a 19-year-old who features in the short film, said: “Being adopted has been an incredibly positive experience for me.
“I love my adoptive mums and I have good relationships with many birth relatives, but it is important people don’t look at adoption with rose tinted glasses.
“Growing up would have been much easier for me if people had a better understanding of adoption, and how this shaped me as a person.”
Sarah Johal, member of the National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group and national adoption strategic lead, said: “Over the past 50 years, more than 400,000 children have been adopted, each with their own unique stories to tell.
“While adoption has been an incredibly rewarding experience for many of these children, we cannot underestimate the complexities of adoption and its historical difficulties.
“National Adoption Week is a chance for every single person touched by adoption to feel seen, heard, valued and understood.”
Despite the fact most people are likely to be able to adopt, 80% of adults say they don’t have a good understanding of how to start the process.
A series of events offering insight, advice, and support to adopted adults, adopters, birth families and adoption professionals will be taking place from October 18.
You Can Adopt has organised events for adopters at different stages of the process. To find out more about the events available to attend, go to https://www. youcanadopt.co.uk/nawevents/
To find out more about National Adoption Week or to seek information or support, go to www.youcanadopt.co.uk/NAW/ To find out more about Adoption Counts and the incredible support services they offer to those considering adoption, go to adoptioncounts.org.uk/ Adoption Counts hold weekly virtual information events, which people considering adoption can attend every Wednesday at 6:30pm. To find out more, go to adoptioncounts.org.uk/events