Lincolnshire agency seeking adopters for children who wait the longest
Many children face year-long delays to be adopted
Many children face year-long delays to be adopted, often because they are brother or sister groups, being older, with special needs or from ethnic minority backgrounds.
To highlight these children, A campaign was set up called 'A life less ordinary', by You Can Adopt began in June.
Local adoption agency, Family Adoption Links, Lincolnshire has used this campaign as a platform to encourage the public to think differently about adoption and show the children that have been waiting longest.
Donna Vines, from the Lincolnshire coast, has adopted two 'older' children from the local service. She says that all children should be considered by parents looking to adopt:
"You definitely shouldn't be put off by those children that are seen as older.
"My boys were five and six- that's not old."
"I would always support people going for those children because they bring so much joy, so much fun, and I think the connection that we have, has surprised me."
Donna also detailed that she decided to adopt after being told she was infertile:
"Don't just look at those babies, you know, look at those other children, those todlers, those school-age children, because they all need their own love.
"To go and pick up my children at the end of the day is one of my favourite things, because they will both run towards me shouting 'mummy' and you just think, that's it! That's all I need."
A new survey showed that, one in three people in England would consider adopting, but that the majority- 88%- would prefer to adopt a child aged between one and four.
Within the campaign, a short film has also been released, that features a panel of child 'experts' interviewing real life adopters about the rewards and challenges of adopting a child that has waited longest.
Family Adoption Links, have shown Ethan (8) and Evie (4) in the spotlight, who have been waiting 14 months for a new family.
There is also additional support and information around adopting children from an ethnic minority background, as the reasons why children from this group typically wait longer are complex and different to those from other groups.
Head of family Adoption Links, John Harris, said at the beginning of the campaign:
"As a partnership we are delighted to finding the right adopters for the children we are caring for. 'Harder to place' children are not harder to love, and most potential adopters already have the skills that could transform their lives by giving them a loving, stable and permanent family home. Support is available in many guises and adoption is incredibly rewarding."
Family Adoption Links, North Lincolnshire, offers a wide range of training courses, support groups, workshops, events and specialised therapy tailored to families' needs.