St Francis Children's Society

In the UK, almost 3,000 children are in need of an adoptive family and the number of adoptions in England has fallen by a third in the last four years. In response to this fall in numbers, Milton Keynes adoption agency St. Francis’ Children’s Society has joined the national #YouCanAdopt campaign, which aims to bust some of the myths around who is eligible to adopt. Earlier this year, a new report revealed that 45% of adults in the UK have considered adoption or would consider it in future. But, despite this, 62% of adults feel they don’t know much about the adoption process - and this lack of knowledge may contribute to many people not taking the important first step. With 40% of people admitting they don’t know if they’re eligible to adopt and 29% thinking they wouldn’t be able to, St. Francis’ Children’s Society (SFCS) is aiming to increase the number of people taking the first steps towards adopting a child. You can adopt if you’re married, in a long-term relationship or single. You could be heterosexual or LGBT+, it doesn’t matter. In fact, 1 in 7 adoptions in England in 2019 were to same-sex couples. You may be hoping to adopt your first child, or you may already have birth or adopted children in your family. Adopters can be of any or no religious faith. Children who are waiting for adoption come from many different backgrounds, cultures and religions, and SFCS accordingly welcomes adopters from all walks of life.

You don’t need to own your own home or be ‘rich’ to adopt. Your financial stability and money-management abilities will be discussed during the adoption assessment, but being unemployed, on a low income or on benefits will not automatically rule you out from becoming an adoptive parent. Having a disability or a mental health condition won’t automatically exclude you from adopting a child either. Any health condition, mental or physical, will be explored fully to help us understand any issues you may experience with parenting a child. But don’t rule yourself out before speaking to one of our friendly team of social workers. St. Francis’ Children’s Society is proud to support the #YouCanAdopt campaign, which will be running until the beginning of December 2020. You can find lots more information about who can adopt by searching #YouCanAdopt on Google, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Singer Sinitta is one of several adopters who are backing the campaign. The mum of two said: “I would definitely encourage others to consider adoption. The feeling of finally becoming a mother was almost indescribable; it’s just everything. It was everything I wanted and more. I love my children more than anything and I always say that love is thicker than blood.” If you can provide a safe, stable, loving home for a child or children who need it, the chances are #YouCanAdopt. Visit www.sfcs.org.uk and click on I’d Like To Adopt to learn more and begin your journey towards growing your family.