In its first year Adopt South has found families for 116 children from babies to eight-year-olds - and is now looking for more adopters

Adopt South, the area’s regional adoption agency, has marked its first anniversary by announcing that it has successfully found families for 116 children, aged from just a few days to eight years old.
Adopt SouthAdopt South
Adopt South

Since the agency’s launch in April 2019, more than 1,300 people have been in contact to find out about adoption or ask for post-adoption support.

Head of Adopt South Rachel Reynolds said: “We have worked really hard to improve the rates of adoption for our partnership local authorities, which include Portsmouth and the surrounding area, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Southampton.

“We are committed to finding families in those areas (and in the Chichester area in West Sussex) for children who, for a variety of often complex reasons, are unable to live and grow up with the parents and families they were born to.

Adopt SouthAdopt South
Adopt South

“We have achieved a lot in the space of 12 months. Being open to a larger pool of adopters means we have been able to match children with the right parent or parents for them.

“With our resources combined in a single agency, we have also been able to provide a higher level of support for those going through the adoption process and for those who have adopted and need advice and reassurance.”

Adopt South’s work since launch has resulted in approving 121 families, many of whom have been matched successfully to children and siblings awaiting adoption. Supporting individuals and couples, the service has also mentored 100 families, as well as leading 120 training workshops, plus a range of support groups and nine parenting programmes.

Adopt South’s team members can discuss the adoption process both during the day and on some evenings. They also offer the opportunity to speak to an adopter via a video call.

Information is available online by clicking here, or by calling 0300 3000 011 to arrange a chat with one of the team.

A range of resources is available to help people understand and learn more about adoption. Even during the current COVID-19 pandemic and abiding by the #StayAtHome restrictions, the team is able to work with potential adopters to start the application process.

There is no upper age limit to adopt and Adopt South actively welcomes adopters from a diverse range of backgrounds, including single, couples, LBGT+ and those from faith communities.