Children’s charity Barnardo’s Scotland is supporting Scottish Adoption Week, running from 20 – 26 November, celebrating adoption in Scotland; raising awareness; dispelling myths and encouraging prospective parents in Edinburgh and the Lothians to come forward.
The charity’s Adoption Placement Service, launched in the Scottish Parliament six years ago, has helped many children and young people find a loving home and family. And six years on the message from the charity remains the same, we still need families to come forward to give children and young people who need and deserve adoptive families.
Sue Brunton, Barnardo’s Scotland’s recently appointed Assistant Director for Family Placement, said: “One of the proudest moments so far in my role has been hearing the positive feedback from our adopters about our support, diversity and inclusiveness.
“However the phrase, ‘despite not fitting the outdated stereotypical image of adopters’ made me think, to truly celebrate adoption and the unique opportunity that it offers some of our most vulnerable children, we must first bust some of the myths that still surround adoption, perceived barriers that may stop people becoming adopters.”
All this week through social media and roadshows Barnardo’s Scotland will be busting the myths about who can adopt. So what are the most common myths about who can and cannot adopt?
Single people can adopt – TRUE
LGBTQ people can adopt – TRUE
There is no upper age limit for adopters – TRUE
You do not need to be earning a minimum income to adopt – TRUE
You can adopt if you have birth children – TRUE
Only heterosexual married couples can adopt – FALSE
I’m over 40 I’m too old to consider adopting – FALSE
We’re in a same-sex marriage we won’t be able to adopt – FALSE
If you want to find out more about adopting with Barnardo’s Scotland the charity is holding information stalls at Adoption Roadshows in Renfield St Stephens Centre Glasgow on Wednesday from 4 – 7pm.
To register your attendance at either event visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/adoption-uk-scotland-and-adoption-and-fostering-alliance-scotland-15121653766
Or you can make an enquiry through Barnardo’s Scotland’s website by following this link https://www.barnardos.org.uk/fosteringandadoption/adoption/how-to-adopt-a-child.htm