National week reassures you don’t need a ‘perfect home’ to adopt!

National Adoption Week is taking place this week with the aim of dispelling myths and reducing barriers to people considering adoption in Oldham and Tameside.

A new survey by You Can Adopt reveals that nearly nine in ten adoptive parents surveyed were worried they needed a 'perfect home' to pass the adoption assessment process.  

However, the reality is far more modest – with just over two fifths (41 per cent) of adoptive parents surveyed living in a house with two bedrooms or less, two thirds (65 per cent) not having a garden and a quarter living in rented accommodation. 

Adoption Now, regional adoption agency based in the North West, is supporting National Adoption Week by highlighting what their children say is important to them in a home.

The service covers Oldham and Tameside local authorities, which means they have a responsibility to find families for children with social services care for both the areas. 

The local adopted children said what made a home a ‘welcome home’ was things like movie nights with popcorn, playing football in the living room, being nagged to tidy their room and chippy tea nights; highlighting that it’s not how many rooms you have or how big your garden is but the happy memories you can make in them. 

Insights from adoption agencies across the country show that the cost-of-living crisis has contributed to a decline in the number of people coming forward to adopt – with new data showing a 12 per cent decline in prospective adopter registrations compared to last year.  

This means that more children are now facing delays of over 18 months before being matched with a family - an increase compared to the previous year. 

Katrina Williams, Head of Service for Adoption Now, said: “We know that many people are worried about what they could offer a child who needs adopting, whether that’s concerns about not having a big enough home or living on too low an income; but you don’t need to be worried about these things.  

“Our children just need a safe, secure and loving space where they can grow, thrive and make wonderful memories, so please don’t rule yourself out without talking to us, we’re here to support you. 

“If you think about your own childhoods and what made them special, what memories you have from kitchen discos to cuddling up on the couch under duvets, these are the things our children need and that you can give them. We have more children than ever waiting so if you can offer a welcome home we want to hear from you.” 

There are currently over 100 children waiting with the agency to be adopted.  

If you have ever wondered about giving a child a place to call home you can find out more about adoption in the North West by visiting www.adoptionnow.org.uk or calling 01204 33609