Worcestershire County Council's Adoption Service is preparing for the start of National Adoption Week next month by reminding Malvern residents that the need for permanent families for children has never been greater.
The week runs from November 9 to 15 and aims to encourage residents to come forward and offer loving homes to children of all ages, backgrounds and cultures. Malvern is being targeted by the County Council's Adoption Service due to a shortage of residents considering adopting and it has therefore arranged a drop-in information session at the town's library between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesday, November 10.
The event aims to dispel some of the myths surrounding adoption and will be an informal session where interested residents can have a chat with members of County Council's adoption team.
Louisa Ackling, from Worcestershire County Council's Adoption Service, said: "There are no blanket bans in adoption, so please don't think we'll turn you down because you're over 40, single, or don't own your own home. What we really need are people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family life.
"Initially, we are simply asking for people in the Malvern area to come forward and find out more about adoption by coming along to our drop-in session for a chat. If you think you might have what it takes to become an adoptive parent, or just want to find out more about adoption then this is the perfect opportunity to have your questions answered."
For further information about Worcestershire County Council's Adoption Service visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/adoption or call 0800 028 2158.
Further Information:
National Adoption Week is organised by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) and aims to raise awareness of adoption and encourage potential parents to come forward. There are an estimated 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year, many of whom will have suffered trauma in their short lives.
David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF said: "It is a sad fact that children are simply unable to remain with their birth family, because of neglect, abuse of perhaps just because parents are unable to cope. Adoption is one of the best ways we know of giving these children a new family life.
"Children with lots of different types of early experience may need adopting – 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."
