A GOVERNMENT supported Midlands adoption agency covering Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull has joined forces to launch national recruitment campaign #YouCanAdopt.
Adoption Central England is one of the regional adoption agencies across the country, supported by the Department for Education (DfE), who have joined forces to launch the campaign. Across this region there are 130 children with an adoption plan.
‘You Can Adopt’ offers clear information about who is eligible to adopt and the adoption process involved. 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.
It aims to target potential parents from black, Asian and other ethnic backgrounds, as these children wait longer for adoptive parents. Potential adoptive parents are also encouraged to consider adopting older children, sibling groups and those with more complex health needs or disabilities.
The campaign features a new film dispelling key misconceptions about adoption which includes singer Sinitta, who has adopted two children, and TV vocal coaches Carrie and David Grant alongside other adoptive families. A podcast series is also being released, featuring 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.
So Macho singer Sinitta, a mum-of-two, said: “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 was everything I wanted and more.”
Brenda Vincent, lead manager for Adoption Central England said: “The key message of this new campaign is ‘you can adopt’ and we want anyone who is thinking about adoption to get in touch. 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 We need to address misunderstandings and outdated views to ensure that nobody is discouraged from taking the first important step towards adopting a child.”
Coun Pat Seaman, children’s services cabinet member at Coventry City Council, said: “I want to thank all of our current adopters for making the incredible decision to bring a child into your family and for giving them the love and support that all children deserve.
“If you are considering adopting the message is clear, ‘You Can Adopt’. It would be heartbreaking if someone felt they couldn’t take that first step on such a life-changing journey because they mistakenly thought they weren’t allowed to adopt.
“Please take the time to talk to ACE who can reassure you that preconceived ideas of who can and can’t adopt simply don’t exist. This is such a difficult time for so many children, and if you are even considering becoming an adoptive family and giving a child your love, then I thank you and urge you to find out more.”
If you’re interested in adoption or finding out more, visit ACE at aceadoption.com or call 0300 369 0556.
