By Grace Gomez, PACT’s Adoption Diversity Recruitment Officer
Adoption is a wonderful way to build families, provide love, and change the lives of children waiting for a permanent home. But when it comes to finding adoptive homes for Black children, the need is especially great.
Black children are overrepresented in England’s care system making up 7% of the total, compared with 5.5% of the child population. Black children also wait longer for secure, loving homes. When Black people choose to become parents through adoption, they can provide these children with a sense of cultural identity, heritage, and understanding that is vital for their development. Last year 28% of the children PACT placed were of Black, Asian and mixed heritage.
I had the privilege of visiting the Redeemed Christian Church of God Praise Embassy in Eton Wick, Berkshire to discuss the importance of Black people coming forward to adopt and the role the church can play in recruiting and supporting Black adopters.
My visit was both inspiring and eye-opening. I was given such a warm welcome by Pastor Olu and his congregation. After the worship, Pastor Olu tailored the week’s sermon on adoption and looked at various people in the Bible who were adopted.
I then spoke about the children waiting, who can adopt, the adoption process and the post adoption support that PACT offers. We also talked about PACT’s partnership with Home for Good, a Christian organisation which seeks to find homes for every child who needs one through fostering or adoption.
The congregation were really engaged and had lots of questions afterwards. We had a positive discussion and did some myth busting on who can adopt and the adoption process.
At the end of my visit, I encouraged the congregation to take steps toward learning more about adoption. For those not ready or able to adopt themselves, there are other ways I suggested that they could help.
- Spread the word around the need for Black adopters within their own circles. Educating others about the importance of Black adoption and how it is possible to make a huge difference.
- Pray and continue to keep children in the care system and those seeking to adopt in their prayers. Sometimes, the simplest act of faith can have a profound impact.
I really felt energised by the powerful conversations we had. There is so much potential for more Black people to step up and provide loving, permanent homes for Black children. The church community is a perfect place to start fostering these connections and building supportive networks.
If you or someone you know is considering becoming a parent through adoption, take the first step by reaching out to us at PACT and call our friendly enquiries team. We offer online adoption information sessions and the opportunity to speak to someone who has already adopted or a social worker.
By spreading the message that Black adopters are needed, individuals and communities can make a profound difference in the lives of Black children waiting for permanent homes. The more people who understand the need, the more children can find loving families who will support them, nurture their cultural identities, and give them a future full of opportunity.