ARC Adoption North East is joining organisations around the country in supporting National Adoption Week which runs from 21st – 27th October. This year the annual initiative seeks to highlight 'the journeys' of families created through adoption and those who play a role along the way, as well as encourage more people to consider a non-traditional route to starting a family, through adoption.  

To mark the National Adoption Week theme of ‘The Journey’ a new short film, set onboard a train, follows the stories of three adoptive families on their travels, reflecting on the ups, downs and detours of their lifelong journey. Watch the film below:

National Adoption Week comes at a time when the number of children in care waiting for an adoptive family (in the North East and nationally), outruns the number of families coming forward to start the adoption process. Latest data shows that there has been a 22% increase in the number of children with a plan for adoption not yet matched with an adoptive family in England in 2023-4, compared to the previous year. With fewer potential adopters coming forward – believed to largely be a result of the cost-of-living crisis - this means that nearly half of all children face delays of over 18 months to be placed with an adoptive family. 

Terry Fitzpatrick OBE, Director of ARC Adoption North East said: 

“We are looking for a diverse range of people, single or couples, that can meet the needs of children today, and our role is to firstly help people understand whether adoption is the right path for their family, and if it is, we can guide them through the process and offer a wide range of support for the whole journey ahead. At ARC Adoption we have developed a real community of adoptive parents and children, who are very much part of the support system for families, along with the ongoing work of our team.

“For people who have been thinking about taking that first step, we’d say come and talk to us to get more information. We are looking for people, primarily, who can provide a loving and stable home-life to a baby, child or siblings. In thinking about that, we’d encourage people to think about the support they’ve got around them already. As an active grandparent myself, I believe anyone becoming a parent can benefit from practical and emotional support – so thinking about family and friends and how they could help you along the way, could be an empowering thing to help you get started.”

A new survey was commissioned by You Can Adopt, to explore changing attitudes to family life and found that 73% of people in North East England think there’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ family. The survey also revealed that the vast majority of the public (91%) feel it’s important to teach children that families come in all shapes and sizes, and that this promotes acceptance of children from non-traditional family units.

It was revealed that 43% say they have a ‘chosen family’, while only a third (38%) felt that ‘blood’ was an important factor in defining a family. The term ‘chosen family’ recognises relationships and support networks that exist in parallel to the immediate family and indicates changing perceptions over what defines a modern family unit. 51% of the public consider themselves to belong to a non-traditional family - such as blended, extended, adoptive, or single parent.

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Feeling inspired? Find out more about adopting and the support available

At ARC Adoption we host free-to-attend information events each month, where people can learn more about the process of adopting from an experienced social worker, as well as hear from a parent who adopted with our support. The next information event is taking place online, on Thursday 7th November at 6pm, and people can register on the ARC Adoption website  here. 

To request a private chat with a social worker from our enquiries team, please complete our enquiry form and someone will get back to you. We'd be delighted to help you get started on your own adoption journey, whether it's now or in the future.