Local News
St. Francis’ Children’s Society In the UK, almost 3,000 children are in need of an adoptive family. National Adoption Week begins on Monday 18th October, and Milton Keynes adoption agency St. Francis’ Children’s Society is taking the opportunity to encourage people from all walks of life to consider whether they could adopt a vulnerable child. There are very few circumstances which will completely rule you out from becoming an adoptive parent. In the UK, you can adopt if you are: • childless or already have children • married or in an enduring heterosexual or same sex relationship • single • heterosexual or LGBTQ+ • under or over 40 • of any or no religious faith • of any race or cultural background • employed or not • a homeowner or renting You can adopt if you’re married, in a long-term relationship or single. Caroline is a single, black adopter who became a mum with the help of SFCS. “I always knew I wanted children. It didn’t happen for me naturally, so I decided to adopt. I’m divorced, but I work as a social worker, so was aware that you can be single and still adopt. Being a single parent is the hardest thing that I ever did, but it’s also the best!” 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
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walks of life. Mahmood and Parveen are Muslim adopters whose faith was particularly important when it came to their decision to adopt with SFCS. “One of the reasons for us deciding to adopt was our religion,” says Mahmood. “Islam puts a lot of emphasis on helping other people and the Holy Quran specifically mentions helping orphans or those who do not have parents for any reason. Adoption was something that we discussed when we first met many years ago, even before we tried for natural children of our own.” You don’t need to own your own home or be ‘rich’ to adopt, either. Your financial stability and moneymanagement abilities will be discussed during your assessment, but being on a low income will not automatically rule you out from adopting. You can also adopt whether you’re heterosexual or LGBTQ+. Emma and Zoe are a same sex couple who adopted siblings with the help of SFCS. Emma says: “If adoption is something that you feel is right for you, then go for it. Being LGBTQ is not something that should ever hold you back from adopting. What is important is that you have enough space physically and emotionally for a child. Our boys really don’t care that they have a Mummy and a Mama; they are safe and they are loved.” If you can provide a safe, stable, loving home for a child or children who need it, the chances are you can adopt. Visit www.sfcs.org.uk and click on I’d Like To Adopt to learn more and begin your journey towards growing your family.
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