Every young person in Buckinghamshire deserves a loving home and a supportive family around them as they grow up. Sadly, there are children who tend to wait longer to be adopted and it’s these children we really need adoptive families for here in Bucks.
National figures show that Black and Mixed Heritage children wait on average 21 to 28 months before finding loving homes. This is around 10 months longer than their White counterparts.
Hopefully with your help, we can change this.
You do not need to adopt a child that shares the same ethnicity as you, however you must be willing to embrace and promote the child’s ethnicity and culture. We look specifically at this on our training courses and will fully support you.
We welcome adopters from all backgrounds and walks of life, ethnicities, genders and sexualities, whether you’re single, married or in a long-term relationship. Everyone is treated equally so that we get the best result for parent and child.
We’ll offer support on every step of your adoption journey, and beyond.
Listen to our stories: Finding Homes Podcasts
Listen to our podcasts with experienced workers and adopters from the black community sharing their stories about why we need more adopters to come forward from the community and how support available has helped adopters in times of challenge.
Listen to “Racial Justice: How did we get here?”
We take a historical look at care within Black culture as a way of understanding the current care landscape and how we got here. Join David Grant as he talks with Bernadette Heron, a senior social worker in Buckinghamshire Council, and Tania Bright, CEO of Home for Good and an adoptive Mum to two brilliant boys. They talk passionately and honestly about the need today and the potential there is for people to make a real difference.
Listen to “Racial Justice: The importance of cultural reflection”
In this episode David, Bernadette and Tania talk about the importance for children and teenagers to be raised in a home and community where their culture or heritage is reflected. They’re joined by Simon Jay, an adopted adult, foster carer and adoptive Dad, who shares some of his story, highlighting why this matters and the difference it can make for children and young people.
Listen to “Racial Justice: Real Talk”
In the final episode of this mini series, we look at some of the reality of what it means to welcome a child or teenager in to your home and family who has had a difficult start in life. David, Bernadette and Tania are joined by Millie, a senior social worker in the Post-order Support team, and they talk openly and frankly together, including looking at what support is available for those who choose to grow their home and family in this way.
You can also read more from Social Worker, Bernadette Heron (Bernie) in her blog exploring her inspiration to become a social worker and her passion to raise awareness of adoption within the Black community.
Online Adoption Information Evenings
Coming along to one of our regular online information events is a great way to learn more about adoption and how Buckinghamshire can support you.
Whether you’ve been thinking about adopting for a while, or you’re just curious about what’s involved, our free and friendly Information Evenings are the perfect opportunity to find out more from the people who know, with no commitment.
Everyone interested in adoption is welcome to join, whatever your ethnicity, gender, sexuality or relationship status. We work with people from all backgrounds and walks of life, everyone is treated equally to get the best result for parent and child.
We will look into the lives of children, adopters and families involved throughout the process and offer an insight into the adoption process. You will get to hear first-hand from adopters about their experience and have the chance to ask them and our team any of your questions.
To sign up simply find a suitable event date below (August – October) and click through to sign up via our Eventbrite booking service.
- Adoption Information Evening August (online)
Tuesday 01 August (6pm to 7:30pm) - Adoption Information Evening September (online)
Tuesday 5 September 2023 (6pm to 7:30pm) - Adoption Information Evening October (online)
Tuesday 3 October 2023 (6pm to 7:30pm)
Or book a place on a future Adoption Information Evening date.
Alternatively contact us to:
- ask questions about any stage of adoption
- book a one-to-one consultation with a social worker about adoption
- ask how to get started with the adoption process
- Call 01494 586 349
- Email [email protected]
- Visit buckinghamshire.gov.uk/adoption
Try our Adoption Readiness Checker
We know it can take a long time to feel ready to start the adoption process. As well as hearing more at our Adoption Information Evening, why not try our Adoption Readiness Checker and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to explore next steps towards adoption.