Adoption is a big decision, but it could be the best you ever make. Adoption Counts is your local Regional Adoption Agency.
In 2017, it brought together the skills and expertise of five local authorities: Manchester City Council, Stockport Council, Salford City Council, Trafford Council, and Cheshire East Council, and it now works for children and adopters in and around these areas.
The scale of the organization means they are able to widen the scope to find adoptive parents and children who are just right for each other, creating family bonds that last a lifetime.
Adopting a child is a transformative and exciting experience, and the team at Adoption Counts understands that it can be daunting at times. Rest assured, they will be by your side through everything, guiding you through the process from the moment you enquire to the day your child joins your family and beyond.
There are children all over the country who need a life-long family. They may be young or already at school, as part of a sibling group, from a range of ethnic, cultural, and faith backgrounds, they may live with a disability or health needs. Adoption Count’s most important job is to do the best for them and find them the right forever family in which to thrive and grow. That is why the agency wants to hear from anyone who feels they could offer a child a nurturing and loving home.
Adoption is life-changing. You become the legal parent of a child who cannot – for whatever reason – live with their birth parents. You’ll take on the same legal rights and responsibilities of a birth parent and provide a permanent home, love, and support for the child you adopt. If you’ve considered adoption but don’t think you fit the mold, get in touch. You don’t have to be ‘perfect’ to adopt a child or children since each adoption is as unique as the people being brought together.
In order to meet the needs of children waiting for an adoptive family, at Adoption Counts they encourage and welcome inquiries from a diverse section of the community, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, disability, race or faith, regardless of age (although you need to be over 21).
It doesn’t matter if you’re single, widowed, divorced, or living together. All families are different and all adoptive families are different too. Adoption Counts would particularly like to hear from people who would be able to consider older children, sibling groups, and/or children of a Black African or Black Caribbean heritage. These are the children that often wait a long time to find families to adopt them.
For more information on children awaiting adoption, how to start your adoption journey, and what the process entails, you can visit www.adoptioncounts.org.uk; the agency provides a free information booklet and also free weekly virtual information events you can book on.
If you have been thinking about adoption, don’t hesitate. The team at Adoption Counts is there to help.
