The children

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Across Yorkshire and the Humber there are around 200 children of all ages waiting for a safe, loving and permanent home. They come from a variety of different ethnic and religious backgrounds, some are single children and some are in sibling groups.

We would love to find families for them all. Could one of those families be yours?

 

What the children need

Children needing adoption will have been separated from their birth families at birth or in early childhood, many of these children will live with foster carers while plans are made for their future. As a result of this less than ideal start in life most of the children with an adoption plan will carry with them some degree of uncertainty about their future well-being and needs. They may have experienced significant harm as a result of a parent’s drug or alcohol misuse, domestic violence or mental health issues; most children needing adoption will have experienced some degree of trauma in their lives.

Our children have a range of needs, personalities, abilities and vulnerabilities, and some have significant disabilities or health needs too, but all our children need a permanent, stable loving home to enable them to make the most of life's opportunities.

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Girl and rainbow

Contact and keeping in touch with birth families

When children are adopted, most children continue to have some form of contact, direct or indirect with their birth families. There are many benefits for a child keeping in touch with their birth family. Having regular information or continuing to see their family can help the child with their identity, build their self-esteem and support them to know that they are loved by everyone who is or has been in their lives. Adopted children often want to know about their roots and to make sense of their earlier experiences. Having contact helps an adopted child to move on and begin the journey of understanding their life history. Every child will have a contact plan regarding keeping in touch with their birth family and this will be developed according to their own circumstances.  

This is a short film which explains why keeping in touch is important for children: 

Here are some leaflets which explain more about contact after adoption: 

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Two mums and baby on slide

Children who need adoption in our area

In the Yorkshire and Humber we are currently specifically looking for people who could meet the needs of the following groups of children. 

Groups of brothers and sisters

We need adoptive parents who can offer caring and stable homes for groups of brothers and sisters of varying sizes and ages. There are actually lots of advantages to adopting siblings, in essence it is like creating an instant family, and you only have to go through the process once. Siblings who have been through difficult experiences with their birth families will have formed a strong, intense bond. They also tend, on average, to be older than single children, so any issues will already have been identified which means that adopters will have a much clearer idea of what they’ll be dealing with, and can begin to access appropriate support right from the start.

Adopting sibling groups offers many advantages in terms of emotional security, mutual support and learning, all stemming from their shared past. They will never feel ‘I’m the only one like me’, because they will be living with their brother or sister. Adopting siblings means you are also helping to keep them together, which might not be possible if they stay in local authority care longer term.

Check out this podcast to hear in popstar Sinitta's own words about how she adopted a sibling group. 

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Two boys with swords

“The girls would have been devastated if they had been split up. Together is all they’ve ever known. It was so important for them that they all went together and were looked after and loved together.”

Sibling adopter

Children from African, Caribbean, mixed ethnicity and Gypsy Roma backgrounds

In the West Yorkshire area especially we have a shortage of prospective adopters coming forward who can meet the needs of children from African, Caribbean, mixed ethnicity and Gypsy Roma backgrounds. If you are considering adoption and feel you can meet the needs of these children, please get in touch.

Hear poet Lemn Sissay interview adopter Jennifer in this podcast.

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Children with unknown health needs or additional needs

All children need secure and loving homes. We are looking for adopters willing to help meet the needs of children with additional health needs or disabilities. Sometimes we do not know what the likely health or developmental outcomes may be for a child, for example if they have a chromosome abnormality. We need adopters who are willing to accept and understand these uncertainties and help the child develop and succeed at their own pace. With the right support and training, we aim to help every child reach their full potential.

Here are two podcasts in which musicians Carrie and David Grant share their experiences and talk to other adoptive parents about adopting a child with additional needs and adopting a child with complex health needs. 

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Older children

There are a number of benefits to adopting children over five years of age. People who are willing to adopt an older child are much more likely to be matched quickly; there is usually more information about health or developmental issues; and their life story work is well in progress because everything about the child’s past is out in the open. So if you are willing to consider adopting an older child, then please get in touch.

Listen here to a podcast in which reality TV start Debbie Bright speaks to people who have adopted older children

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Here are some examples of profiles of children we have sought families for in the past.

Please note, these are NOT children we are currently family finding for, please do not enquire about adopting these children.

Zuzanna is of fair complexion with bright blue eyes and brown hair. She is dainty and smiles a lot! She is of Polish heritage.
Amyra is described by her carers as a beautiful baby who is a real delight to look after.
Maya, Noah and Amelia are full siblings, who are all of dual heritage. They are of White British and Black Caribbean ethnic origin.