Merseyside Adoption agency is calling on more people to take up the challenge of adopting a child, with 55 vulnerable kids still waiting for an adoptive family. Data showed 18% of approved applicants in Merseyside were single in 2022/2023 – the highest rate since the agency’s merger in 2018.
There are many misconceptions about who can and cannot adopt, according to Kath Dresher, Head of Service for Adoption in Merseyside. People can adopt if they are single, in a relationship, if they are renting, or if they have children. Dresher added that the adoption landscape has undergone significant changes in recent years, with the catchment area expanded to allow people from outside Merseyside to apply and flexibility encouraged to maximise applications.
The aim of the agency is to place children with loving and secure families as soon as possible. Children under three can wait up to seven months to find their adoptive parents, whereas those over three years old can take up to double that time, up to two years. Families who provide a loving environment sooner enable children to heal their trauma and loss, and start feeling safe and secure more quickly.
One single mother, Steph, said she always thought she had to be married to adopt and was therefore apprehensive about adopting as a single person. But after attending an agency information session, she learned that wasn’t the case. She also wondered whether she could cope with the challenges of parenthood while working, but had lots of support from friends and family. It took her just 12 months to welcome her daughter home, she said, adding it had been an amazing journey so far.
Adoptive parents also receive training to support their child’s healing process during what can be a challenging adjustment period. Merseyside Adoption agency encourages people from all backgrounds, races, and religions to consider adoption at their agency. If you are interested in adopting a child, visit www.adoptioninmerseyside.co.uk and request an information pack to learn more about the process
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