Parents in Vale, Valleys and Cardiff Adoption (VCC) urge more families to consider adoption

Parents in VCC who have built their families through adoption are encouraging others to consider providing a stable, safe adoptive home for a child in care in Wales.

This National Adoption Week (October 19 to 25), the National Adoption Service for Wales is asking more Welsh people to consider adoption when planning their families. NAS is celebrating the second year of its Now is a Good Time campaign, inspired by stories of the lifechanging moment parents took the decision to begin the adoption process.

Across Wales, initial enquiries to adopt increased by 10% over the last year – a positive change following several years of decline. However, the need for adoptive families has also grown. The number of children waiting to be adopted increased by 11%, with 310 children currently waiting.

Councillor Louise Minett-Vokes, Cabinet Member for Social Services, said: "National Adoption Week is an opportunity to celebrate the life-changing impact that adoption can have for children and families. Every child deserves the chance to grow up in a safe, loving and stable home where they can thrive and reach their full potential.

We are incredibly grateful to our adopters, foster carers and social care professionals who make a lasting difference to the lives of children across our communities. Their dedication, compassion and commitment help provide children with the security, belonging and opportunities they deserve.

This National Adoption Week, I encourage anyone who has ever considered adoption to find out more. Adopters come from all walks of life and can offer a loving home to a child who needs one. Together, we can ensure that more children have the chance to experience the stability, care and support that every child deserves."

Eifion Burke, Director of National Adoption Service Wales, said: "National Adoption Week provides a great opportunity to share and celebrate the joy created for many families in Wales through adoption. As I begin my journey as Director, I want to take this opportunity to thank all those families who have opened their homes, and to encourage more to come forward.

“Adoption can bring unique challenges, but it is also an incredibly rewarding journey. We want people to know that no one adopts alone. A wide range of support is available to children and adoptive families across Wales, including therapeutic services, peer networks and community-based support, helping families to build strong, positive and lasting relationships.

"Adoption is one of the most powerful ways we can change a child's future. My vision is for Wales to continue leading the way in delivering high-quality adoption services, ensuring that every child, adoptive family and birth family has the support they need not only to overcome challenges, but to flourish and reach their full potential."

To find out more about adoption in your area, visit www.adopt4vvc.org