Every child deserves somewhere they feel they belong. Somewhere they can come home from school, share their worries, celebrate their achievements and know there will always be someone in their corner.
That is what National Adoption Week, which takes place this week, is really about. It is a chance to celebrate the families brought together through adoption, thank those who make it possible and encourage more people here in West Cumbria to consider whether they could offer a child a loving, permanent home.
Some children have experienced things no child should have to face. Others are waiting alongside a brother or sister, hoping they can stay together. They do not need a perfect family. They need patience, understanding, stability and love.
But adoption is only one way of giving children that security.
Foster carers provide a home when children cannot safely live with their parents, sometimes for a short period, sometimes for years. Kinship carers – grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings and family friends – step forward to care for children they already know and love, helping them maintain those precious family connections.
I have enormous admiration for the people who open their hearts and homes in these different ways. Across West Cumbria, they make an extraordinary difference, often quietly, giving children reassurance, familiar routines and the confidence that somebody will be there when they need them.
As Children’s Minister, I am determined that more children grow up in safe, stable, loving homes, with relationships they can depend on. As your MP, I want more children here to have those same opportunities, ideally close to their schools, friends and communities.
That is why last week I launched England’s first national fostering recruitment campaign. It builds on our Fostering Action Plan, backed by £88 million, with an ambition to create 10,000 more foster places by 2029. We are making recruitment easier, improving support for existing carers and exploring more flexible ways of fostering.
We also need to recognise and support kinship carers, who often take on huge responsibilities at a moment’s notice. No family stepping forward for a child should feel they have to manage alone. If a child within your own family needs help, please find out what kinship support is available.
Perhaps you have thought about adoption or fostering but assumed you would not qualify. You might be single, working, renting or simply unsure where to begin. Please do not rule yourself out before having a conversation.
Adoption Cumbria runs regular online information sessions and can be contacted at adoptioncumbria.org.uk or 0303 333 1216. For fostering or kinship, visit cumbriafostering.org.uk or call 03000 190 200. Both services run information events where you can meet the teams, ask questions and find out more.
There is no obligation in asking questions. But that first conversation could change a child’s life – and yours.