More families than ever needed to adopt a child

Date published: 05/11/2007

People across the borough are being encouraged to think about giving a local child the ultimate gift - a family.

Rochdale Borough Council's Adoption Team is using the 10th anniversary of National Adoption Week to remind people that there's still a shortage of permanent families for some children in care.

The team is especially looking for families for older children, brothers and sisters, children from dual heritage backgrounds, and children whose development may be delayed or uncertain.

Dave Fisher, Rochdale Adoption Team Manager said: "Right now we need adoptive families for 17 children.  Every child is special and needs to grow up in a loving, secure family. Many have had a very difficult or chaotic start in life though, so desperately need stability.

"It doesn't matter what age you are, nor do you have to be in a relationship or own your own home.  We're just looking for people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life, and help them recover from the reasons why they went into care.

"Initially, we're 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."

There are more than 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year.  The annual UK-wide campaign, organised by the British Association for Adoption amp; Fostering (BAAF), aims to raise awareness of adoption and encourage potential parents to come forward.

David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF, added: "Most children who come into public care go home within weeks.  But it is a sad fact that some children are simply unable to return to their birth family, because of neglect, abuse or perhaps just because their parents are unable to cope with being a parent.  Adoption is one of the best ways we know of giving these children a family for life.  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."

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/Business/web_page.asp?ID=7810