Adopt 2024: Help a Cumbrian child find their forever home

In response to an ongoing need for more adopters, Cumbria Adoption, working on behalf of Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, launched its Adopt 2024 campaign.

Those who are open to adopting children who tend to stay longer in care before finding their forever families are especially needed.

These include brothers and sisters who should stay together whenever possible, children aged three and over, and children with additional needs.

Those willing to adopt a child from a priority group could be approved after six months and matched with a child soon after.

Sibling groups are among those who tend to wait longer for their forever families (Image: Cumbria Adoption)

Since April 2023, of the 37 Cumbrian children adopted, ten were sibling pairs and a trio of brothers were also given a new family together.

Cumbria Adoption says that adopting children aged three or four and over can be 'just as rewarding' as adopting younger children, and that there are still plenty of 'special firsts' that can be shared together.

The agency also says that the 'rewards can be tremendous' for those who adopt a child with additional needs.

Cumbria Adoption recognises the common desire many future parents initially have to adopt a younger baby, however, the reality is that the majority of children placed for adoption are older - typically occurring only after all agencies involved have tried to support the birth parents in caring for their children.

Out of the 37 Cumbrian children adopted since April year, just five were babies below the age of one.

In that same time period, fifteen children placed for adoption were aged between one and two, eight between two and three, six between four and five, and three between six and seven.

You could adopt a Cumbrian child by the end of 2024 (Image: Cumbria Adoption)

The agency says that there are relatively few babies being adopted as voluntary adoption is 'rare' in current times compared to past decades.

Instead, current adoption scenarios stem more often from court rulings due to the biological parents being unable to safely look after the child.

Sometimes children experience the 'best outcome' when adoption takes place as early as possible in life. A new programme, 'Early Permanence', will be the main way that these children join their new families, explains Cumbria Adoption.

This arrangement involves prospective adopters caring for the child as a foster family while court rulings are being determined, thus eliminating unnecessary transitions for the child between different types of carers.

While this does involve a level of uncertainty, as the baby could be placed back with its birth family, it is likely that the adoption will be approved.

Special support and training sessions will be made available this year for individuals considering this route.

Prospective adopters worried about delays are assured that there is no need to fear an arduously long process, with Cumbria Adoption branding it a 'myth' that it takes years to adopt.

Applicants from all walks of life can enquire, and if approved to adopt after a six-month assessment and training period, they could grow their family by the end of 2024, provided they are open to adopting children within the three priority groups.

Those with specific requirements may experience longer wait times before finding an appropriate match.

Anyone 21 or older can adopt, with no deterrents based on age, marital status, gender, sexuality, disability, or employment status.

The ability to provide a 'safe, stable, loving home' for the child's childhood and beyond is the principal criterion.

The only automatic exclusions are for those under the age of 21, non-UK residents, or those with a criminal conviction or caution for offences against children or serious sexual crimes.

Potential adopters are able to access resources, receive training, and be connected with other adopters through Cumbria Adoption.

A dedicated team is also on hand for post-adoption support for both children and families.

To learn more information about adopting, visit cumbriaadoption.org.uk.

There you can download an information pack, request a call back from the team, and submit formal enquiries to begin the process of adopting a Cumbrian child.

You will also find details of upcoming events, which is the recommended next step by Cumbria Adoption.

The online or one-to-one information events provide an opportunity to ask questions and find out more about adopting.