Adoption plans put on hold

Children needing a permanent home have become the latest casualty of the recession, according to local adoption agency Adoption Matters North-West.

Potential adopters, including some who have already signed up for preparation groups, are having second thoughts, with some withdrawing their interest altogether, the agency says.

Around 10 per cent of people inquiring about becoming adoptive parents over the last six months subsequently pulled out.

Some lost their jobs through redundancy and others decided to put adoption on hold, after concerns about their job prospects and finances.

Chief Executive Norman Goodwin said: “We completely understand people’s concerns and reasons but it’s still bad news for the 4,000 children across the UK who are waiting for the opportunity of a fresh start with a new family.

“We’re seeing these concerns across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, and North Wales where there are currently 600 children hoping to be adopted.”

The agency can be contacted via www.adoptionmattersnw.org or on 01244 390938.