Published Tuesday 8 February 2022 at 15:56
Around 180 children from the Northwest are successfully placed for adoption (by Adoption Now), every year.
Adoption Now – a collaboration of local authorities in the region, including Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, not only find children forever homes but also provide support to families enabling them to achieve their dream of becoming parents.
Information evenings are vital for those looking to become adopters.
In April 2021, Adoption Now, launched their Virtual Information Events. Organisers say these have become extremely popular, allowing those looking for more information about adoption to easily access the event via a Microsoft Teams meeting link.
Two events are now held online each month; these were previously held face to face. Some of the events in 2022 will be geared towards specific adopter recruitment including LBGTQ and children with additional needs, sibling groups etc.
The virtual information evenings have had over 300 families interested in adoption register since they launched, proving them to be an easily accessible and informative way of understanding more about adoption.
The events are aimed at providing those considering adoption with an understanding of…
- Why Children are Adopted
- The Adoption Process
- Becoming an Adopter
- Q&A Session
The dates for the next online information evenings are:
| 23rd Feb 22 | 12-1:30pm | Adopting children with additional needs |
| 16th March 22 | 5-6:30pm | All about Adoption |
| 23rd March 22 | 12-1:30pm | LBGT+ Adoption |
Karen Barrick, Head of Adoption Now said:
The Virtual Information Events have been more successful than we anticipated with an average of 10 guests attending each session. By holding the events virtually, they are more accessible for those who are working, particularly as we hold some over lunchtime in the evenings and at weekends. We tend to hold two a month and this year we are planning more bespoke events aimed at providing an understanding of what it might mean to adopt children with complex needs, sibling groups, children with different identity needs, and older children, all groups of children for whom we often struggle to find a forever family.
There is no pressure for those who have attended to continue the adoption journey immediately after the event as we understand some people need more time to prepare, research and consider their circumstances having attended the meeting.
Recent figures show that enquiries from Blackburn with Darwen regarding adoption are lower than other surrounding areas and adopters are needed to provide care for children from all communities.
Cllr Julie Gunn, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:
If you are considering adopting please do attend one of the information evenings that are taking place twice a month. It’s now even easier to join in from home as they’re virtual. We are encouraging those in our borough to make that initial first step without pressure to see if this is the path for you and you can open up your heart and home to a child that needs a forever family in Blackburn with Darwen. Thank you to Adoption Now for making this process easier.
Adoption Now aims to place children from each Local Authority in their forever, loving home – a place every child deserves to be.
More information about the events can be found on the Adoption Now website and anyone can register to attend them: www.adoptionnow.org.uk
Filed under : Adopters | adoption | Adoption Now