Finding families for children with disabilities: Introducing the South West Permanence Project

Children with disabilities and complex health needs often wait the longest for adoption, not because they lack potential or the ability to form deep relationships, but because many prospective adopters feel unsure about what these needs involve. The South West Permanence Project (SWPP) has been created to change this, bringing together teams across the region to help children find stable, loving families who can offer patience, consistency, and a place to belong.

This blog is for anyone considering adoption who may not yet realise that they could be the right match for a child with disabilities. You do not need specialist qualifications or medical expertise. You simply need openness, compassion, and a willingness to learn, qualities many adoptive parents already bring.

Why children with disabilities or complex health needs wait longer

Children with disabilities or complex health needs often wait years for adoption. Sometimes it’s because a diagnosis feels overwhelming before people understand what support is available. Sometimes adopters worry that they won’t be able to cope, or that their life won’t be “suitable enough.” And sometimes, families simply never receive the information that would help them see what is possible.

The South West Permanence Project aims to remove these barriers by offering early support, specialist guidance, and clear, honest information about the children waiting. Their aim is simple: to ensure every child has the chance to grow up in a permanent, loving family, not defined by their diagnosis, but valued for who they are.

You don’t have to be a specialist to adopt a child with disabilities

One of the most common misconceptions is that adopters need medical training or to already understand a child’s condition. The SWPP reassures families that this isn’t the case. What matters is your capacity to show up consistently, your patience on difficult days, and your willingness to learn alongside the child.

Training is provided. Support planning is prioritised. You are not expected to have all the answers. You are simply asked to bring curiosity, commitment, and an open heart, knowing that professionals will walk beside you throughout the journey.

Seeing the child behind the diagnosis

Every child supported by the project is unique. Many enjoy sensory play, thrive on predictable routines, seek comfort through closeness, or respond beautifully to gentle humour. They communicate in their own ways, discover the world at their own pace, and build relationships that are deep and meaningful.

A diagnosis is only one part of their story. The project encourages families to see what makes each child who they are, their personality, their interests, their spark, and to recognise that progress often looks different but can be incredibly rewarding.

The support you can expect from SWP

Support sits at the heart of the South West Permanence Project. From the first enquiry, the team focuses on what each child will need and how families can be guided and prepared. This includes tailored training, honest conversations about daily life, guidance around education and health, and a clear plan for ongoing support after the child joins your family.

Families are not left to figure things out alone. The project actively builds a network around you, including your social worker, medical professionals, educational teams, and other adopters who have walked similar paths.

Who can adopt through the South West Permanence project?

More people are eligible than you might think. You can adopt if you are single, renting, working, part of a couple, LGBTQ+, already a parent, or entirely new to parenting. The project is far more interested in your emotional availability, your stability, and your willingness to learn than it is in your job title or housing status. If you can offer a child patience, safety, and a home where their needs are understood, you may be far closer to adoption than you realise.

What makes this project different

The SWPP brings together specialist teams across the South West, creating a joined-up approach to matching children with the right families. Rather than focusing solely on finding a home, they look closely at support planning from the outset, ensuring children and families have what they need to thrive long-term. Their message is clear: You could be the difference. Because every child deserves to be chosen and cherished.

Find out more

If this project sparks interest, even a small amount, you are welcome to start a conversation. There is no pressure and no expectation that you must be ready. Sometimes all it takes is one enquiry to understand what you might be capable of.

Claire Downes | Project Lead claire.downes@adoptionwest.co.uk

Learn more: South West Permanence Project – Adoption West https://www.adoptionwest.co.uk/south-west-permanence-project

You do not need to have everything figured out. You just need to be open to exploring whether this could be the right path for you, and the right future for a child who deserves a permanent, loving home.