Could adoption be for you?

As the number of children in need of loving, nurturing homes continues to grow, Oldham Council and a regional adoption agency are urging people to step forward and find out more about adoption as a route to building or extending their family.

Adoption Now and the local authority are supporting National Adoption Week this week, and the national First4Adoption campaign which aims to reduce the 3:1 discrepancy between the number of adopters approved and children waiting for families.

There are currently more than 80 children waiting for families with the North West based agency, which Oldham Adoption Service is now part of.

The children, much like adopters come from a variety of backgrounds, from sibling groups to children with special needs or those just that little bit older.

Karen Barrick, Head of Service at Adoption Now said: “At Adoption Now we’re proud to support National Adoption Week and encourage people to come to us to find out more about adoption regardless of their race, religion or sexuality.

“Our adopters come from all walks of life and we are ready to support them every step of the way, right from the moment they first pick up the phone through to when they take their child home and beyond”

Councillor Amanda Chadderton, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Children Services, said: “Here in Oldham we have far too many children in care and we really urge people to speak to us if they are considering adoption.

“We particularly need people who have the room in their home and hearts for our groups of two or three brothers and sisters, who often wait longer to find the right family.

"It can be so rewarding knowing that you’re enabling children who have experienced so much in their young lives to enjoy their childhood together.”

Adoption Now have placed more than 80 children in the past year.

The team are experts in matching adoptive parents with the right children to build the family they have always dreamt of.

Adopters often find both the process and their new family the most rewarding opportunity they ever take.

As a previous adopter has said: “We have been through the adoption process twice now.

"We now have two happy, funny and bright children to keep us very busy, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

"Adoption means everything to us - it has given us our family.”

For more information contact Adoption Now on 01204 336096 or visit: www.adoptionnow.org.uk

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