As part of One Adoption South Yorkshire, the regional adoption agency for South Yorkshire councils, we’re supporting their ‘Better Together’ campaign and encouraging anyone thinking of adopting more than one child to consider adopting siblings and help keep brothers and sisters together.

Brothers and sisters tend to wait longer for an adoptive family, and One Adoption South Yorkshire are looking for adopters who would consider welcoming a sibling group into their family. Across the region, 33 children in sibling groups are waiting to find a loving home.

Councillor Trevor Cave, Cabinet spokesperson for Children’s Services, said: “We’re always looking for caring families who can offer a loving home to children in Barnsley, and this is especially the case for siblings.

“The bond that brothers and sisters have is incomparable, and we want to nurture that by making sure siblings can find a permanent home together to help them feel safe and secure.

“If you're considering adoption as a way to grow your family in 2024, I would encourage you to go to the One Adoption website to find out more about sibling groups in need of loving families.”

One Adoption welcome adopters from all walks of life who can give children who might not have had a great start in life a stable and happy home through to adulthood.

Stephanie Evans, head of One Adoption South Yorkshire, said: “The holiday period is supposed to be a time for families to be together, but for adopted children who have brothers and sisters elsewhere it can be a really difficult time.

“New year is often a time people think about their future and what life might hold for them over the coming year, so we're asking the people of South Yorkshire to consider keeping brothers and sisters together by giving them the loving, stable, permanent home they need.

“There are lots of positives to adopting siblings, so we’d encourage anyone thinking of adopting to consider welcoming a sibling group into their home. Children adopted together are more likely to settle into their new home quickly, develop key social skills like sharing, as well as nurturing their own identity and sibling bond. It also means you only have to go through the adoption process once to create your family.”

Parents are supported throughout the adoption process by highly experienced, dedicated adoption support teams with a comprehensive programme of pre and post-adoption training and support available.

Stephanie added: “Considering adoption is a huge decision for anyone. At times it is challenging, as parenthood is for everyone, but adoption is an incredibly rewarding and positive experience, and our team is always on hand to offer support and answer your questions.”

One Adoption South Yorkshire hosts an information event monthly either online or in-person to help kickstart the process.  The next online information event takes place on Wednesday 10 January at 4.30pm, further information is available at www.oneadoption.co.uk/events.

Anyone interested in finding out about adopting can also check out the One Adoption website www.oneadoption.co.uk or call the advice line on 0345 002 0012.