This National Adoption Week, Adopt Coast to Coast are supporting You CAN Adopt’s national adoption campaign to showcase adoption journeys of all kinds, and the important people who are there along the way. The campaign raises awareness of modern adoption and showcases the diversity of adoptive families today, showing that the journey to a family is not always a traditional one.

The campaign will show adopters that they are not alone by highlighting the people who play a significant role in each family’s lifelong journey and makes each experience unique – from foster carers and social workers to birth families and the adoption community.

Steven tell us about the support they received from their social worker when he adopted both of his children through Adopt Coast to Coast with his partner Robbie. Steven said: “There’s a bit of misconception about social workers. You think that they are going to find things out, but actually, a social worker is there to help you, and help you to get you through Adoption Panel. They really want you to do well.”

This comes as the latest data from England shows there has been a 22 per cent increase in the number of children with a plan for adoption not yet matched with an adoptive family. There are now more children yet to be placed with a family, than there are approved adopters waiting to be matched with a child. With fewer potential adopters coming forward (believed to be a result of the cost-of-living crisis), children of all ages are facing delays of over 18 months to find their forever home.

To find out more about adoption or starting your own adoption journey, head over to adoptcoasttocoast.org.uk or call 03000 268 268.