Published Monday 14 October 2019 at 11:13
A national week of action is urging anyone who has ever considered adopting to step forward as the number of children needing loving, nurturing homes continues to grow.
A report published by the government shows that the North West has nearly 3 times as many children awaiting adoptive families as there are adopters. The figures, based on the latest data reveals the region currently has 630 children waiting to be adopted and 240 families approved to adopt.
Top North West based agency, Adoption Now is supporting the National Adoption Week campaign, from 14 – 20 October, in a bid to encourage people in Blackburn with Darwen to step forward and find out more about adopting local children who are waiting for safe and loving homes.
Children waiting for adoption come from a variety of backgrounds, from sibling groups to children with additional emotional or health needs, those from minority ethnic backgrounds and those just that little bit older.
The latest statistics from the Adoption & Special Guardianship Leadership Board (ASGLB) reveals that of the children waiting adoption:
- 27% are aged over 5 years
- 2% have a disability
- 15% are from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds
- 59% are in sibling groups
Adoption Now is looking for adopters for around 90 children in their care but specificallly for those children above who unfortunately, can wait longer to find their families.
Cllr Maureen Bateson, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said:
Children who come to adoption do so because their birth families are unable to care for them. Many of them have experienced difficult starts in life and all of these children need a loving, stable home. They need support and love to help them overcome their troubled backgrounds, make sense of who they are and grow up to be safe and secure. We know being an adoptive parent can be challenging but it also brings great rewards.
We need to find adopters for children of all ages from babies and young children to teenagers.
During National Adoption Week the Adoption Now team will be in Blackburn on October 18 at Blackburn Medical Centre, Barbara Castle Way, from 11am-2pm to answer any questions residents have about the adoption process and the children in local authority care.
The team will also be available to answer any questions you might have during a Live Facebook Messenger Chat on Wednesday 16th October from 6pm to 8pm.
Karen Barrick, Head of Service at Adoption Now, added:
Adoption transforms the lives of those it touches and this National Adoption Week we’re asking anyone who has ever thought about adoption to find out more. Whether you’re married, single, gay or heterosexual, don’t rule yourself out, if you think you might be able to give a vulnerable child a loving home, please get in touch.
For more information about adoption in Blackburn and Darwen contact Adoption Now on 01204 336096 or visit www.adoptionnow.org.uk