Over 2 million people  who say they are 'certain' or 'very likely' to adopt a child describe themselves as 'actively practicing religion', according to figures released today, Adoption Sunday. The figures come from research that was carried out on behalf of the Department for Education by national adoption information service First4Adoption.

Despite the research showing people who are actively practicing religion are more likely to adopt, the findings also show that many Christians and other people of faith don't come forward to adopt because of myths about who can adopt.

Every day more than 50 children are taken into care in the UK. As a result, 9,000 more foster placements are desperately needed and 5,000 children are waiting to be adopted. The Church can make a difference.

That's why 200 churches throughout the UK today are taking part in the first national Adoption Sunday. It's organised as part of Home for Good, an initiative created by Care for the Family, CCPAS and the Evangelical Alliance to change the culture in local UK churches to make adopting and fostering a significant part in their life and ministry.

National Adoption Week also begins today, organised by BAAF, and this year much of the focus is also on overcoming myths that exist surrounding adoption.

Adoptive parent, foster carer and Evangelical Alliance director, Krish Kandiah heads up the Home for Good campaign: "We are pleased to see these results. It is great that so many people of faith are considering adoption and fostering, but more must be done to dispel the myths and to provide children a loving family."

The new research has been published to mark the launch of a dedicated adoption telephone information line on 0300 222 5950 for people from all faith communities by First4Adoption and Home for Good. Friendly advisors can provide all the information they need about adopting or fostering.

First4Adoption and Home for Good are working together to make sure prospective adoptive parents and foster carers get easy access to essential information. The organisations that are part of Home for Good have connections with 15,000 churches and offer a fantastic route for finding and supporting adoptive parents.

The research shows that actively-religious people who are very likely to adopt are aware of the emotional benefits that adoption brings but many mistakenly believe that their faith will prevent them being approved.

Gemma Gordon-Johnson, head of service at First4Adoption, said she was delighted to be working with Home for Good to encourage more people from faith communities to come forward: "This Adoption Sunday, I urge people from all faith communities to consider whether they could offer a loving home to the many children who need one and to give our friendly advisors a call to find out more."

If you want to know more about the adoption process you can call the dedicated First4Adoption/Home for Good information line on 0300 222 5950. www.homeforgood.org.uk 
www.first4Adoption.org.uk