#YouCanAdopt campaign launches

Adoption agencies have joined together to launch a new national adoption recruitment campaign, #YouCanAdopt.

A campaign spokesman said it aims to change perceptions around adoption by breaking down common myths and ensuring people feel eligible and capable to adopt.

The nationwide campaign is being delivered from a cross-sector of regional adoption agencies, voluntary adoption agencies and other key stakeholders around adoption in England, supported by the Department for Education.

A spokesman for the campaign said it aims to raise awareness of adoption, bust myths around who is eligible to adopt and ultimately to increase the number of possible parents registering their interest in adoption.

Additionally, the campaign aims to target potential parents from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds as these children traditionally wait longer to be matched with a new adoptive family.

Older children, sibling groups and those with complex health needs and or disabilities can also wait longer to be placed with an adoptive family.

The overall challenge in recruiting adopters in England is the lack of understanding and awareness among the general population about what adoption is, who is eligible to adopt, and the process of preparation, training and assessment of suitability.

The campaign will aim to ensure people have the correct information about adoption and do not rule themselves out based on false beliefs and assumptions such as the idea that single people, older people or people in same-sex relationships are not eligible to adopt.

The campaign is being delivered by the National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group and is supported by the Department for Education.

To find out more about the campaign visit the #YouCanAdopt website