You can adopt: Call for families as children waiting outnumber adopters 2 to 1

National Adoption Week: Children waiting for adoption come from a variety of backgrounds

A national week of action is urging anyone who has ever considered adopting to step forward, as the number of children needing loving homes continues to grow.

Statistics published by the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board (ASGLB) show that the North West has nearly three times as many children awaiting adoptive families as there are adopters. The figures, based on the latest data, reveals the region currently has 630 children waiting to be adopted and 240 families approved to adopt.

Regional adoption agency, Adoption Now, is supporting the National Adoption Week campaign, from 14 - 20 October, in a bid to encourage people in the borough of Rochdale to step forward and find out more about adopting local children who are waiting for safe and loving homes.

Karen Barrick, head of service at Adoption Now, said: “This report highlights the ongoing and urgent need to find adoptive families for children who desperately need them. Adoption transforms the lives of those it touches and this National Adoption Week we’re asking anyone who has ever thought about adoption to find out more. Whether you’re married, single, gay or heterosexual, don’t rule yourself out, if you think you might be able to give a vulnerable child a loving home, please get in touch.”

Children waiting for adoption come from a variety of backgrounds, from sibling groups to children with additional emotional or health needs, those from minority ethnic backgrounds and those just that little bit older.

The latest statistics from the Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board (ASGLB) reveals that of the children waiting adoption:

• 27% are aged over 5 years
• 2% have a disability
• 15% are from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds
• 59% are in sibling groups

Adoption Now is looking for adopters for around 90 children in their care but specifically for those children who cannot wait any longer to find their families.

During National Adoption Week the Adoption Now team will be in Rochdale at Number One Riverside on Tuesday 15 October, 10am - 2pm, to answer any questions residents have about the adoption process and the children in local authority care.

The team will also be available to answer any questions you might have during a Live Facebook Messenger Chat on the Adoption Now Facebook page on Wednesday 16 October from 6pm to 8pm.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said; “Children who come to adoption do so because their birth families are unable to care for them. Many of them have experienced difficult starts in life. All of these children need a loving, stable home. They need support and love to help them overcome their troubled backgrounds, make sense of who they are and grow up to be safe and secure. Being an adoptive parent can be challenging but it also brings great rewards. If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact Adoption Now today”.

For more information about adoption in the Rochdale borough then please contact Adoption Now on 01204 336096 or visit

• adoptionnow.org.uk