2020 COULD be the year you complete your family with Adoption Counts – the regional adoption agency for Cheshire East, Manchester, Salford, Stockport, and Trafford.

At Adoption Counts, we know adoption is life-changing, and children and families are our sole focus. That’s why we’re here for you, every step of the way. From the first phone call, our dedicated team will be there to support and guide you through the adoption process with compassion, honesty and respect.

Hopes, fears, needs – both yours and the children’s – we’re here to listen intently and respond sensitively to them all. Adoption is a big decision, but it could be the best you ever make.

Adopters come from all walks of life. There is no upper age limit for adoption, although you need to be over 21. You need to be able to look after a child until they become an adult and ideally be there to support them beyond this point. You can be gay, heterosexual, single, in a civil partnership, married or co-habiting – all applications are very welcome and treated equally. You can adopt whether you rent or own your own home, as long as you have stable living arrangements and the space to accommodate a child.

We are currently appealing for the Black African and Caribbean community to come forward and consider adoption. Children of a Black African and Caribbean background often wait longer to be adopted, alongside sibling groups of two or more. That is why Adoption Counts wants to hear from anyone who feels they could offer a child a warm and loving home; the Black African and Caribbean communities are well known for their family values, compassion and strong community networks, and we are eager to speak to people who would consider becoming adopters.

Adoption Counts was the second regional adoption agency to be established in the UK, bringing together the expertise of the Local Authorities of Cheshire East, Manchester, Salford, Stockport, and Trafford.

Anyone living in and around the Adoption Counts region and interested in finding out should contact the team on 0300 123 2676 or visit www.adoptioncounts.org.uk.