Adoption Now, the local authority adoption agency for Bolton, is supporting National Adoption Week by highlighting what children say is important to them in a home.
Local adopted children said what makes a home a ‘welcome home’ are things like movie nights with popcorn, playing football in the living room, being nagged to tidy their room and chippy tea nights.
A new survey by You Can Adopt reveals that nearly nine in ten adoptive parents surveyed were worried they needed a 'perfect home' to pass the adoption assessment process.
However, the reality is far more modest.
Just over two fifths (41 per cent) of adoptive parents surveyed live in a house with two bedrooms or fewer, two thirds (65 per cent) do not have a garden and a quarter live in rented accommodation.
It shows that it’s not how many rooms you have our how big your garden is but the happy memories you can make in them.
Insights from adoption agencies across the country show that the cost-of-living crisis has contributed to a decline in the number of people coming forward to adopt, with new data showing a 12% decline in prospective adopter registrations compared to last year.
This means that more children are now facing delays of over 18 months before being matched with a family - an increase compared to the previous year.
Katrina Williams, Head of Service for Adoption Now, said:
“We know that many people are worried about what they could offer a child who needs adopting, whether that’s concerns about not having a big enough home or living on too low an income; but you don’t need to be worried about these things.
“Our children just need a safe, secure and loving space where they can grow, thrive and make wonderful memories, so please don’t rule yourself out without talking to us, we’re here to support you.
“If you think about your own childhoods and what made them special, what memories you have from kitchen discos to cuddling up on the couch under duvets, these are the things our children need and that you can give them.
“We have more children than ever waiting so if you can offer a welcome home we want to hear from you.”
There are currently over 100 children waiting with the agency to be adopted.
If you have ever wondered about giving a child a place to call home you can find out more about adoption in Bolton by visiting www.adoptionnow.org.uk or calling 01204 336096.