While the national ‘You Can Adopt’ campaign, dispelling myths around who is eligible to adopt, came to an end yesterday (Tuesday), the need to recruit adopters continues and Adoption@Heart want to keep up momentum and spread the message about adoption.
Earlier this year, a new report revealed that 43% of adults in the West Midlands have considered adoption or would consider adoption in future. But, despite this, 56% 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.
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 70%, single 44% and LGBTQ+ 37%.
The You Can Adopt campaign also aimed to attract potential parents from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, as these children traditionally wait longer to be matched with a new adoptive family, and to encourage people to consider adopting older children, sibling groups and those with complex health needs or a disability.
Carol Moses, Adoption@Heart Recruitment and Assessment Team Manager, said: “We have been very proud to be involved with and support the national You Can Adopt campaign, which aimed to bust myths surrounding adoption and encourage more people to come forward.
“We credit the campaign with the increase in our adopter enquiries over the last few months, but we hope that more people continue to come forward.
“Whilst we are sad to see the campaign ending, the work surrounding recruiting adopters continues. We need to continue to address misunderstandings and outdated views to ensure that nobody is discouraged from taking the first important step towards adopting a child.”
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Adoption@Heart have moved all their information events online. The virtual information events take place every 2 weeks and are the perfect place for those who are ready to start their adoption journey or would like more information. Future event dates are available at Adoption@Heart.
Adoption@Heart is the Regional Adoption Agency for the Black Country, providing adoption services for City of Wolverhampton Council, Walsall Council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Sandwell Children’s Trust.
For more information, please visit Adoption@Heart, call 01902 553818 or email info@adoptionatheart.org.uk.
