New #YouCanAdopt campaign launches in West Cheshire

Together for Adoption has joined a coalition of national, regional and voluntary adoption agencies across the country to launch a nationwide recruitment campaign to raise awareness of adoption.

Cheshire West and Chester Council, along with four other local authority areas (St Helens, Wigan, Warrington and Halton) came together three years ago to launch the regional adoption agency, Together for Adoption. 

Since then, 125 new adopters have been approved meaning that more children and young people have been placed into welcoming homes. 

In the UK, there are almost 3,000 children that are in need of an adoptive family and the number of adoptions in England has fallen by a third in four years. In response, the new #YouCanAdopt campaign will bust myths around who is eligible to adopt and explore what the adoption process involves as well as highlight that especially during the COVID pandemic, there are still children out there who are looking for their new family.

Earlier this year, a new report revealed that 37 per cent of adults in the North West have considered adoption or would consider adoption in future. But, despite this, 69 per cent of adults do not feel they know much about the adoption process and this lack of knowledge may contribute to many people not taking the important first step. 

With 43 per cent of people admitting they do not know if they are eligible to adopt 35 per cent thinking they wouldn’t be able to, the new campaign aims to increase the number of people taking the first steps towards adopting a child.

Some of the biggest misconceptions around eligibility are that single people, older people, and those who are LGBTQ+ are not allowed to adopt, which is not the case. The new data revealed that participants felt the following groups would be either ineligible to adopt or were unsure if they were eligible to adopt; over the age of 50 years old - 65 percent, single – 45 percent and LGBTQ+ - 34 per cent.

The #YouCanAdopt campaign also aims to target potential parents from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, as these children traditionally wait longer to be matched with a new adoptive family. The campaign aims to encourage potential adoptive parents to also consider adopting older children, sibling groups and those with complex health needs or a disability.

To help shine a light on the diverse range of families who have and can adopt, a new emotive film has been released featuring singer Sinitta and TV vocal coaches Carrie and David Grant alongside other families who are joining in encouraging others to consider adoption.

In the film, the adoptive families recite a poem written by comedienne, writer and adoptee Joy Carter, which brings to life the stories of each of the families: the highs, lows and realities of adoption. 

The film also dispels some key misconceptions about adoption using a recurrent theme – you can adopt. It is being released online and across social media during the campaign. A podcast series is also being released, featuring famous voices such as Anna Richardson, Sinitta, Harry Derbidge and Annie Price, who talk to families about the adoption process and the journey they took to adopt their children.

A survey of adults who have already adopted showed that collectively, more than two thirds (66 per cent) of people said a loving home and to be able to provide stability are the two most important things a person needs before adopting a child. Almost half (44 per cent) of people said their adopted child felt like part of the family within just a month and of the respondents that had biological children as well as an adopted child, three quarters (75 per cent) reported a strong relationship between the siblings. 

The adoption process has evolved over the last few years; it is simpler and quicker than it has been previously and there is a lot more support available with over three quarters (76 per cent) of adoptive parents finding the support and resources helpful.

Councillor Bob Cernik, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The future of many children depends on adults exploring adoption and taking the first step towards becoming an adoptive parent. We need to address misunderstandings and outdated views to ensure that nobody is discouraged from taking the first important step towards adopting a child. Some people assume that because of their age or marital status they won’t be able to adopt, but that is simply not true, adoption is a choice for people who want to become a parent. The team at our regional adoption agency, Together for Adoption, are there to provide the information and support to anyone looking to grow their family and start their adoption journey in west Cheshire.” 

Councillor Margaret Parker, the Cheshire West and Chester Council’s representative for Together for Adoption, said: “We’re continuing to look for people to provide children in our area with a safe and secure forever home. Sometimes people rule themselves out before they’ve talked to our adoption service, when they could be an ideal family to provide a loving home for a child in need. If you are considering adoption to find out about the excellent support on offer and how to start the application process.”

Sinitta, singer and mum of two, said: “I would definitely encourage others to consider adoption. I always knew I wanted children and I tried everything from IVF to surrogacy to have them. All of those journeys led to heartbreak, except adoption. The feeling of finally becoming a mother was almost indescribable; it's just everything. It was everything I wanted and more. I love my children more than anything and I always say that love is thicker than blood.”

Carrie Grant, vocal coach, TV presenter and mum of four, said: “Our adoption journey began over eight years ago when we adopted our son, Nathan. We already had three biological children, but we had room in our hearts and knew we had the opportunity to offer another child a loving home. Adopting our son wasn’t an easy thing to do, but it was the right thing to do and a fantastic thing to do. He’s a Grant now, every bit as much as his sisters. I’d encourage anyone thinking about adoption to take the first step and find out more. It’s been such an incredible journey for our family.”

Joy Carter, writer, comedienne and adoptee, said: “It was a pleasure meeting all the different families and collaborating with them on this project. I was adopted when I was a baby, so the stories they shared with me really resonated. Every child needing adoption has a story and I hope by bringing some of those stories to life, people realise the difference they can make if they choose to adopt. I hope the poem and video will help encourage people to register their interest in adopting and help a child find a forever home. I’m really lucky that my parents gave me mine.” 

Visit: www.togetherforadoption.co.uk to begin your adoption journey with your local authority.

View the You Can Adopt film at: www.youcanadopt.co.uk

1. Of children waiting to be adopted nationally 27 per cent were over five years old, 5 per cent have a disability, 17 per cent were of a BAME background and 40 per cent are in sibling groups. 

2. Many myths appeared during the survey:

• 26 per cent of people in the North West think that someone over the age of 50 is not eligible to adopt
• 17 per cent of people in the North West believe those who have experienced anxiety are not eligible to adopt
• 23 per cent of people in the North West correctly stated that once a person is over the age of 21, they are old enough to adopt. 13 per cent believed it was once a person is over 18 and 23 per cent believed it was over 25.
• 27 per cent of people do not know if LGBTQ+ people are eligible to adopt
• 15 per cent of people think that single people are not eligible to adopt

Pictured - Sinitta, singer and mum of two.