Urgent plea for more people in West Yorkshire to consider adoption as National Adoption Week begins

As National Adoption Week begins, regional adoption agency One Adoption West Yorkshire is urging more people to consider adoption, with new figures showing that around 160 children across the region are waiting for a permanent family to grow up in.

To mark National Adoption Week (19 to 25 October), One Adoption West Yorkshire is supporting You Can Adopt's Every Day is Everything campaign, which highlights the importance of the everyday moments of family life that help children feel safe, loved and secure.

The campaign aims to reassure prospective adopters that they do not need to have every aspect of their lives perfectly in place before exploring adoption, and that support is available throughout the process and beyond. Many people are discouraged by misconceptions that they need to own their home, fit a traditional image of a parent, or have everything figured out before taking the first step. In reality, adoption agencies are looking for people who can provide a safe, stable and loving home.

As part of the campaign, a new national report from Adoption England and Coram warns that, by 2030, there may only be enough approved adoptive families for 13% of children needing a permanent home in England if registrations continue to decline.

However, the report also shows that if adopter registrations returned to levels seen just a few years ago, permanent homes could be found for nearly 1,000 additional children in England by 2030.

Across the Yorkshire and Humber region, the number of children needing adoption has increased by 60% over the past five years, with children spending an average of 294 days without a permanent home after an adoption plan is agreed. For children, these delays are far more than statistics; they represent valuable days of childhood that could be spent experiencing the stability, security and sense of belonging that an adoptive family can provide.

Michelle Rawlings, Head of One Adoption West Yorkshire, said:

"National Adoption Week is an opportunity to shine a light on the children across West Yorkshire who are waiting for the security and stability of a permanent family. With around 160 children currently waiting for adoption in our region, many people do not realise that they could provide the loving home a child needs.

“This year's Every Day is Everything campaign focuses on the ordinary moments that make family life special, whether that's reading a bedtime story, sharing a meal together or simply being there at the end of the school day. For children who have experienced uncertainty, those everyday moments can mean everything. We'd encourage anyone who has ever thought about adoption to get in touch and find out more."

Sarah Johal MBE, National Adoption Strategic Lead at Adoption England, said:

"Social workers are unable to find families for all the children who need adoption, but we can change this trajectory. The families that these children need are out there. They may even be thinking about adoption already but have not come forward yet."

One Adoption West Yorkshire holds regular online information events to help people considering adoption learn about the process, the children waiting and hear from professionals and existing adopters. The next events are being held on:

• Tuesday 20 October at 6pm
• Saturday 7 November at 9.30am

To find out more about adopting with One Adoption West Yorkshire, visit www.oneadoption.co.uk or call 0113 3783535.