{"id":67530,"date":"2025-10-17T11:53:06","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T10:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=67530"},"modified":"2025-10-17T12:27:29","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T11:27:29","slug":"adoption-children-need-a-welcome-home-not-a-perfect-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/adoption-children-need-a-welcome-home-not-a-perfect-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Adoption: Children need a \u2018welcome home\u2019, not a perfect one"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We’re asking families and residents from all walks of life to consider adoption \u2014 not because they\u2019re perfect, but because they\u2019re ready to offer a child a safe, loving home.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

October 20th – 26th is National Adoption Week and this year Adopt South West, which includes Devon as well as Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay and Somerset, is challenging common misconceptions about who can adopt and is encouraging those who may have previously ruled themselves out to come forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And the message is clear; children don\u2019t need a flawless household \u2014 they need a place where they feel accepted, supported and loved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Children who need adoption come from a variety of backgrounds, so adopters are needed with a wide range of knowledge, skills, and lifestyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of your religion or culture, if you are single or in a relationship, heterosexual or LGBTQ+, if you rent or own a home or if you already have children or not, what matters most is the ability to provide stability and care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToo often, people think they won\u2019t be considered to adopt because they\u2019re not \u2018perfect\u2019,\u201d said Amanda White, Adopt South West\u2019s Head of Service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cChildren are looking for the right families who see them, hear them and welcome them into a stable family home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently there are 122 children who are actively \u2018family finding\u2019, which include 18 sibling groups, with more boys than girls waiting for a loving home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are children of all ages, with older children, those with additional needs, disabilities or in sibling groups waiting longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And of those who are waiting, 28 are seeking Early Permanence \u2013  Early Permanence is a type of planning which helps a child or children find a safe, stable and permanent home as quickly as possible, living with their potential adopters prior to final decisions being made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adopting a child has the power to transform lives. Giving a child a caring home means they have consistency and love. This is crucial for healthy attachment and development. National Adoption Week is an opportunity to celebrate the commitment of adopters and the difference it makes to children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do want to take that step and become an adopter, Adopt South West provides full training, ongoing support and guidance throughout the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From initial enquiry to post-adoption support, the agency works closely with families to ensure they feel confident and prepared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Liza Barry<\/strong>, 46, is an adopter who lives in Plymouth. She adopted her 14-year-old daughter in 2013 and her seven-year-old daughter in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She is also the \u2018stepmother\u2019 to a child adopted by her partner before they met:  \u201cThere are so many amazing children who desperately need safe families and I know there are plenty of people who wish to extend their family,\u201d says Liza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was a single adopter working full time when I adopted my oldest and later my smallest daughter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNeither of those things were a barrier to adopting despite me worrying that a perfect 2:4 family was the requirement. This was not the case.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that the adoption assessment teases out how a child can fit into your world: \u201cThere are no limitations. As long as you are stable and committed, have physical space and lots of love to give we want and need to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPlease, be brave and speak to Adopt South West and start that journey!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Councillor Richard Jefferies, Devon County Council\u2019s cabinet member for Children\u2019s Services, Social Care, said: <\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cWe have more children than we have adopters and the gap is growing.<\/p>\n

“Our campaign this year highlights real stories from adoptive families who\u2019ve discovered that the most important ingredient isn\u2019t a spotless home or a textbook parenting style \u2014 it\u2019s the willingness to show up, keep going, and offer unconditional love.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019ve ever thought about adoption \u2014 even just once \u2014 now is the time to explore it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Richard Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services – Social Services<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n\n

For more information or to start your adoption journey, visit www.adoptsouthwest.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":859,"featured_media":67531,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7,34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-67530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-children-families-and-education","category-community"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":67531,"title":"Copy of hero image for news website 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