Appeal for more adopters to come forward to grow their family

The regional adoption agency for the Black Country, Adoption@Heart, is appealing for more families to come forward this new year to adopt a child into a loving and permanent home.

Adoption@Heart is calling for all those who are considering growing their family, or would like some more information, to take the next step and get in touch.

Adopters are needed from all walks of life and families are particularly needed for older children, groups of brothers and sisters, children from an ethnic minority background, and children with additional needs.

There are some misconceptions around who can adopt, and many people mistakenly rule themselves out. Adoption@Heart wants to help combat those misconceptions by encouraging more people to come forward to find out more.

Lots of people adopt, whether single, living together, married, LGBTQ+, have a disability, in employment or not working, or already have children. Potential adopters must legally be a UK resident and have been so for at least 12 months, as well as being aged 21 or over. There is no upper age limit.

Adoption@Heart’s Head of Service, Simon Green, said: “As the new year begins, we often find people enquire into adoption as they look back on the last year and consider the year ahead.

“We are always looking for people who can give children a secure home; giving them lots of individual time, understanding and love to help them reach their full potential. We welcome a diverse range of people, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or whether they have a faith or not.

"Being an adoptive parent may bring some challenges, but the rewards far outweigh any difficult moments. So, we are asking anyone who has thought about adoption, to get in touch or register for one of our information events to find out more and have a chat, as we are always here to support you every step of the way.”

It is easy to find out more about adoption at an information event which take place every two weeks. The events are the perfect place for those who are ready to start their adoption journey or would simply like more information.

Many events are held virtually online, but face-to-face events are also available with Adoption@Heart’s next in-person event taking place at 6pm on Tuesday 23 January at Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury. Pre-booking and alternative information event dates are available at www.adoptionatheart.org.uk/events.

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. The agency welcomes enquiries from these areas as well as the surrounding areas.

For more information call 01902 553818 or email info@adoptionatheart.org.uk