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NI Adoption Week (21-27 October 2024)

21st October 2024

Today marks the start of NI Adoption Week 2024, an annual nationwide adoption campaign where we celebrate our adoption community across Northern Ireland, in partnership with Adoption UK.

We want to show our appreciation to our adoptive families, celebrate the lifelong impact of adoption, and raise awareness about the children who wait longest for adoption including older children, sibling groups and children with disabilities/additional needs.

Did you know?

During the year ending 31 March 2024:

  • 97 children were adopted from care in Northern Ireland.
  • The average age of children at the time of adoption was 4 years 2 months.
  • Almost 28% of adopters had dependent birth child/children living in the household.
  • 44% of children adopted were part of a sibling group.
  • 9% of adopters were single (male and female).
  • 16% of adopters were same sex couples.
  • 48% of adopters were in their forties at the time of adoption.

*Department of Health: Children Adopted from Care in Northern Ireland, 2023/24

 

“As an adoptive parent you get to support a child or children who will have experienced trauma and loss. You work hard to help them heal, addressing their unique needs and providing a safe and happy home. The rewards are unreal, the laughs, jokes, achievements. Shared adventures and magical milestones. There is nothing better than family.

We have watched our boys grow into funny, happy confident kids, shared so many happy times and marvel every single day at how amazing they are. The love you have for your kids as a parent is limitless.” – Mary, adoptive parent

If you think you could offer a child a loving home through adoption, why not get in touch with us to find out more.

Call 0800 0720 137, email us or fill out our online enquiry form

You can also check out our events calendar to see adoption events on in October