Small moments, Big memories – National Adoption Week 2024
This National Adoption Week, we are sharing some of the small moments that have become big memories for some of our adoptive families.
Among the special memories that PACT families have shared are the first time their child called them “daddy”, the hobbies that extended family members have been able to share with the children and when the moment when they told their sons that they were going to have two more brothers.
PACT is urging people to consider becoming a parent through adoption as there are currently more children waiting for a family than people approved to adopt.
Latest data shows there has been a 22 per cent 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, meaning there are 780 more children not yet placed with a family, than there are approved adopters waiting to be matched with a child.
With local authorities nationally reporting fewer potential adopters coming forward – believed to largely be a result of the cost-of-living crisis – this means that nearly half (47 per cent) of all children face delays of over 18 months to be placed with an adoptive family.
Anyone who would like to find out more about adopting with PACT can download a guide, attend one of our online information events or use our self-assessment tool to check if they are ready to become an adoptive parent.
We asked PACT parents to share some of their Small moments, Big memories…
Alice* and Ethan* adopted twin girls with additional needs
Read their full story
Sonya* and Alison* adopted their son Michah*
Read their full story
Could you adopt?
Interested to find out how easy it would be for you to adopt? Use our interactive self-assessment tool to find out now!
Get in touch to find out more about adoption
Talk to our friendly enquiries team today
Come to an information event to find out more
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We’ve had a smooth journey with PACT and we’re forever grateful for [our social worker]. She’s been brilliant, and the whole PACT team have been wonderful.
PACT parent
The social worker I was assigned to was very good. I felt that she understood where I was coming from and I was able to talk through issues without feeling there was any judgment formed against me.
PACT parent
PACT has been on hand at every stage to help with any query we had. Our social worker responded quickly to all of our emails, and even when things were tricky they were proactively checking in with us. Even now that the Adoption Order has been granted we are still able to contact them for help and support, which is tremendously reassuring for the future.
PACT parent
One of our key priorities was that there would be support longer term if we needed it and we were really impressed with PACT’s training and support events, as well as their dedicated therapeutic social workers who would be available for support after our child came home.
PACT parent
I really feel that PACT prepared us brilliantly for the transition and the early days. We will always be learning but I come back to things from training every day!
PACT parent
I felt I was well equipped and informed at each part of the journey and the training days were interesting and enlightening.
PACT parent
