Adoption Central England (ACE), the regional adoption agency for Coventry, Solihull, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire, is once again celebrating National Adoption Week,18 to 24 October.
This year the focus is on sharing the voices of those whose lives have been changed by adoption and all its rewarding and challenging experiences. ACE is doing this by sharing adopter stories throughout the week on the Facebook page @aceadoption The case studies will not only provide information about the adoption process, but also include stories from adoptive families – giving a true insight into adoption.
One adoptive parent speaking openly about the highs and lows of adoption said: “Our adoption journey has been emotional yet exciting, frustrating yet fulfilling and terrifying yet totally worth it. It has definitely not been an easy option, but it is the most rewarding thing we have ever done. We have learned lots about ourselves, our capabilities and limits.
“We’ve been amazed by the level of support from the unlikeliest of places. The social workers from ACE have been there for us every step of the journey and have shared in the highs and lows of it all. Our family may not be typical or traditional, but we feel an incredible loving bond with our son. We are proud parents and proud to be adopters.”
Councillor Richard Holt, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Skills at Solihull Council added: “Solihull Council is proud to support National Adoption Week. Providing a true and realistic view of adoption is important and the case studies on the ACE Facebook page will help people thinking about adoption to understand the process and what to expect. The assessment and process can be lengthy and in-depth, but the rewards make it worthwhile.
“One of the key priorities for ACE is to recruit and assess families for the many children who need stable and loving adoptive parents, and since forming in 2018 ACE has successfully placed more than 350 children with adoptive families.
“Equally important is providing support to adoptive families. This may be low key such as opportunities to meet with other adoptive families and ongoing training, to more specialist therapeutic help that adoptive families may need as their children grow and develop into young people.”
As a well-established adoption service ACE has many services in place to support people on their adoption journey, including the recently introduced Buddy Scheme. The scheme pairs up new adopters with experienced adoptive parents who offer additional advice and support to people during those early stages.
The ACE website is also currently undergoing a refresh and will include new case studies and information for anyone involved in the adoption process. More information will be shared shortly.
ACE welcomes interest in adoption from people across all sections of the community, whether they are unable to have children of their own, or where they want to extend their home to those children waiting for a family. Interest is welcomed from single people, those in same sex relationships and from the Black, African Caribbean and other minority ethnic communities.
People do have to be over 21 years to apply for adoption and able to provide a stable and secure home for a child who needs to be adopted.
ACE is waiting to receive your call. Contact ACE on 0300 369 0556 or complete the enquiry form on the ACE website www.aceadoption.com. You can also make an enquiry by email on enquiries@aceadoption.com that will be followed up by one of our friendly adoption workers. Also connect with the adoption community through the ACE Facebook page @aceadoption and read about real adoption experiences.