{"id":64593,"date":"2024-10-21T12:43:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-21T11:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=64593"},"modified":"2026-01-26T17:32:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T17:32:55","slug":"national-adoption-week-highlights-adoption-journeys-of-all-kinds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/national-adoption-week-highlights-adoption-journeys-of-all-kinds\/","title":{"rendered":"National Adoption Week highlights adoption journeys of all kinds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This National Adoption Week (Monday 21 to Sunday 27 October), we\u2019re showcasing adoption journeys of all kinds, and the important people who are there along the way,\u00a0as part of this year\u2019s You Can Adopt campaign,\u00a0The Journey.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The campaign raises awareness of modern adoption and showcases the diversity of adoptive families today, showing that the journey to a family is not always a traditional one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no such thing as a \u2018normal\u2019 family, according to 61 per cent of people in South West England (from Bristol to the Isles of Scilly). The survey by You Can Adopt <\/a>has also revealed that four in 10 (41 per cent) have a \u2018chosen family\u2019 and 57 per cent come from a \u2018non-traditional\u2019 family structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amanda White<\/strong>, Head of Adopt South West, says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“The vast majority of people feel it\u2019s important to teach children that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that this promotes acceptance of children from non-traditional families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Now is the time to think again about adoption and be open to adopting beyond your first thoughts about a traditional family, and a child’s ability, their age, or gender.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWith fewer potential adopters coming forward, children of all ages can face delays to find their forever home. Across the whole of South West England, there has been a 22 per cent increase in the number of children with a plan for adoption who are not yet matched with an adoptive family. And so more children are yet to be placed with a family than there are approved adopters waiting to be matched with a child.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The campaign will show adopters that they are not alone, by highlighting the people who play a significant role in each family\u2019s lifelong journey and makes each experience unique \u2013 from foster carers and social workers, to birth families and the adoption community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of The Journey campaign, a new short film<\/a>, set onboard a train, follows the stories of three adoptive families on their travels. Just like adoption, trains connect people to one another and act as a fitting metaphor for the adoption journey \u2013 one that is full of adventure, chaos, and love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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