Adoption Focus is working together with other voluntary adoption agencies across the UK with a joint mission to stop brothers and sisters who are waiting in care from being separated when adopted.
Almost half of children currently waiting in care* are part of a family group and voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) are looking for people who can offer them a permanent and loving home.
Adoption Focus is among 36 VAAs from all over the UK who have together created a guide for people considering adoption. You can download a copy of the advice guide here, which contains helpful information and advice from parents who have already adopted sibling groups
Anna Sharkey, Chief Executive Officer of Adoption Focus, said:
“We are proud to be part of this campaign highlighting the need for adopters to consider adopting sibling groups of two or more and sharing advice and experience from those who have already done so.
Adoption Focus has always specialised in placing priority children, including those in sibling groups, as well single children, children aged four and above, those from different ethnic origins, and those with additional needs.
I would urge anyone who is thinking about adopting, be it one child or a larger group, to join us at one of our regular online information events to find out more.”
VAAs work in partnership with local authorities to find families for children waiting for a permanent home.
VAAs are independent, not-for-profit organisations who have intensive services to provide families with vital support both when the children are placed and into the future.
Maggie Jones, chief executive of the Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA) which represents VAAs across the country said:
“Brother and sisters who are adopted together are the only constant thing in each other’s lives in times of huge upheaval, loss and trauma.
“The voluntary adoption sector are specialists in finding families for sibling groups and being there for them with bespoke packages of support for as long as its needed.”
*There are currently 2,030 children waiting to be adopted in England and 890 of those are in a family group.. 520 children who are part of a sibling group have been waiting for 18 months or more to find a home.