Currently, 35 children across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are waiting to be adopted. Of these, 22 are boys, 13 are girls, 16 are under two years old and 14 are part of a sibling group - children waiting with their brothers and sisters can often wait longer to find the right family. Over the past 12 months, the average age of a child placed for adoption through Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption Service was two years and six months. These children waited an average of 17 months before finding their adoptive family – meaning that they had spent more than half their young lives, waiting for a permanent home, highlighting precisely why every day spent waiting matters.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption Service is launching a new recruitment campaign this September, Every Day is Everything, to raise awareness of the urgent need for more adoptive families and encourage people to consider whether adoption could be right for them.
The campaign highlights a simple but powerful message: every child deserves a permanent, loving family and every day spent waiting for that family matters.
Both nationally and locally, there are fewer people putting themselves forward to adopt than there are children waiting to be adopted. The campaign aims to reassure prospective adopters that children do not need perfect parents, perfect homes or perfect circumstances. What they need are people willing to provide love, stability and commitment through the everyday moments that make up family life.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption Service is keen to hear from people from all backgrounds and communities. Adopters come from a wide range of circumstances and life experiences. The average age of people approved as adopters during the past year was 41, with 10 per cent of those approved over the age of 50.
Councillor Edna Murphy, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council's Children and Young People's Committee, said: "Every child deserves the security, love and sense of belonging that comes from having a permanent family. Unfortunately, there are still too many children waiting for adoptive families, and every extra day they wait is a day without the stability they need.
"The Every Day is Everything campaign reminds us that adoption is not about being perfect. Family life is built through everyday moments, whether that's helping with homework, sharing a meal together or simply being there to listen at the end of the day.
"We want people who may have considered adoption in the past to know that they do not need to have a perfect home, perfect finances or all the answers. What matters most is your ability to offer a child love, stability and a lifelong commitment.
"Children in our region are waiting now for caring, supportive families. If you have ever thought about adoption, I would encourage you to take the first step and find out more. You could make a life-changing difference to a child."
Councillor Katy Cole, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Peterborough City Council, said: “In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, there are children waiting for the security of a permanent family and adopters who could change a child’s life forever. The challenge is bringing the two together quickly enough so that children do not spend longer than necessary waiting for the stability they deserve.
“Adoption is one of the most powerful ways to make a lasting difference in a child’s life. If you've ever considered adoption, I'd encourage you to take that first step and find out more. You could make a real difference to a child's life, and they might just make an incredible difference to yours too."
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption Service provides expert guidance throughout the adoption journey, from initial enquiry through to approval, matching and placement. Support continues long after a child joins their adoptive family, ensuring parents and children can access the help they need as their family grows.
Throughout September, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption Service will be supporting the national Every Day is Everything campaign across its social media channels, including information about adoption and the experiences of local adoptive families.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption Service can be found on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candpadoptionservice
Instagram: www.instagram.com/candpadoptionservice/
Every day matters to a child waiting for a family. If you'd like to find out whether adoption could be right for you, contact the team by emailing adoptionenquiries@cambridgeshire.gov.uk, calling 0300 123 1093 or visiting www.cpadoption.co.uk.
You can also follow Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption Service on YouTube @cambridgeshirepeterborough2747.
