As a concerned parent, I firsthand have experienced the negative implications that unfair stigma can have on adopted children. My own child, who has been adopted, is being ruthlessly bullied in school simply because they have been through care proceedings. This is more than unjust, it is heart-rending. Every child deserves to be bestowed with love, empathy, and kindness, irrespective of their background or care history. Let us remember the essence of acceptance and the importance of inclusivity.

It's time we call out to amend the Equality Act 2010, to include adoption, foster care, kinship care, and special guardianship as protected characteristics. By doing this, we can ensure that individuals who have experienced these forms of care are safeguarded against discrimination and abuse. In addition, it will help cut down heart-crushing statistics which reveal that adopted children are more than twice as likely to have been identified as having a special educational need compared to children who have not been involved in the care system (Adoptive Families Association, 2020).

We also ought to lobby for more comprehensive sensitivity training for institutions, instilling a focus on respect and understanding for those who have been subject to care proceedings. This will foster a welcoming and accepting environment for everyone, regardless of their backgrounds.

With your signature, we can catalyze a change that will protect the rights and dignity of children who have been adopted, stayed in foster care, kinship care or under special guardianship. We can create a better world where these individuals won't be abused, bullied, victimised or scapegoated. Let's stand together for those who have been subject to care proceedings. Please sign this petition.