As this year's National Adoption Week gets underway (10th - 16th November) Herefordshire Council's adoption team says the need for permanent families for children in Herefordshire is as great as ever. The team is seeking new members for their adoption panel as well as new adopters.
Herefordshire Council needs families for children over five years of age and for younger ones who need to be brought up with their brothers and sisters, children who have a disability or whose mothers used alcohol or drugs during their pregnancy.
Interest is welcomed from single people and couples, from all sectors of the community both within Herefordshire and neighbouring counties.
Hilary Hale, team manager for the adoption team, said: "Please don't think we won't consider you because you're over 40, a parent already or don't own your own home. What we need are people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life and can help a child recover from the reasons why they came in to care, helping them go on to reach their potential and lead fulfilling lives.
"The preparation process to become an adopter is rigorous -you'll need to be emotionally strong, but also sensitive to the traumas many of these children will have experienced.
"Initially, we are simply asking people to come forward and find out more about adoption. If you think you might have what it takes, please pick up the phone today."
National Adoption Week is organised by the British Association
for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) and aims to raise awareness of
adoption and encourage potential parents to come forward. There are
an estimated 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every
year, many of whom will have suffered trauma in their short
lives.
David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF, says:
"It is a sad fact that some children are simply unable to remain with their birth family, because of neglect, abuse or perhaps just because their parents are unable to cope.
"Adoption is one of the best ways we know of giving these children a new family for life. Children with lots of different types of early experience may need adopting - some of them have had traumatic experiences, others have learning difficulties or health problems and it's crucial that loving and permanent families are found for them."
The adoption team would like to hear from adults who have a personal interest in adoption, perhaps because they were adopted, a child of theirs was adopted, or they are an adoptive parent themselves and are interested in becoming a member of Herefordshire Adoption Panel. Applications are particularly welcomed from men, ethnic minorities or people with experience of living with disability, as these groups are currently under represented on the panel. Please ring Hilary Hale on 01432 262840 for more details.
Herefordshire Council is holding an adoption information evening on Monday 17th November 2008 at Moor House, Widemarsh Common, Hereford, HR4 9NA. Anyone interested in adoption is invited to drop in between 5.30-8pm, meet the adoption team, chat with adopters, hear about their experiences and get any questions answered. Refreshments and car parking are available.
Call 01432 262830 for more information.