National Adoption Week: Isle residents urged to make a difference and adopt

This year National Adoption Week, which runs until Sunday, is focusing on the theme ‘Too old at four?’ and North Lincolnshire Council is encouraging more Isle residents to come forward and become adoptive parents.
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This year’s theme hopes to raise awareness of the number of children who are aged over four years-old and waiting for adoption in the UK.

Although new families and new futures have been found for many children over the past year, there are still others in Yorkshire and the Humber who are waiting too long to be adopted. They are currently with foster carers and are waiting to find a forever home. Could you provide this?

Regardless of which area a child is currently living, a child will be placed in a home that is right for them and their adoptive family.

North Lincolnshire Council’s adoption team is not only looking for adoptive parents for children aged over four but for siblings and children with more complex needs as well. All interests in adoption are very welcome though.

Those children waiting who have complex needs include children requiring more support with health needs or due to their early life experiences need extra support in doing some of the things that other children their age may already be able to do.

During Adoption Week, North Lincolnshire Council is joining up with Hull City Council’s and North East Lincolnshire Council’s adoption teams to raise awareness of adoption and encourage more potential adoptive parents to start their first steps in the adoption process.

North Lincolnshire Adoption Service not only work with those living in North Lincolnshire and who are interested in adoption but also welcome contact from people living outside of North Lincolnshire. They can assess people who live outside the local area and are especially interested to hear from those who are interested in adopting an older child or sibling group.

Following on from Adoption Week, an adoption information evening is taking place on Tuesday November 3 at the Learning Development Centre, Enderby Road in Scunthorpe where people can go along and speak to someone from North Lincolnshire Adoption Service. Just drop-in anytime between 5.30pm and 8pm, and the friendly adoption team will answer any questions and guide through the adoption process.

Nic Haughton, lead for Being Family, the consortium of Yorkshire and Humber adoption agencies, said: “We are working closely together to break down geographical boundaries, as local councils and voluntary agencies, to make sure that children find the most suitable home.

“Every child is an individual with their own needs. In addition, each adoptive family, whether it is a single person, a couple, or a family who already have children, also come with their own unique circumstances.

“By making sure that we take into account the needs of the children and the prospective families, we are able to create the best possible matches for loving homes, regardless of location.”

Councillor David Rose, cabinet member for Children’s Services at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “There is a common misconception that only couples who have struggled with fertility take the adoption route. This is not the case. We aim to dispel any myths around adoption as couples and single people of any age, regardless of sexuality or background can be considered as adoptive parents.

“Many older people, whose own children have left the nest, are now coming forward as potential adoptive parents interested in giving another child a loving home.

“National Adoption Week this year highlights the fact that it’s not only babies that are in need of adoption. We want to raise awareness of children over four years-old, sibling groups and children with complex needs who are still looking for their forever home.

“We know that making the decision to adopt is one of the biggest steps that anyone can take but it is also one of the most rewarding. If you have ever thought about adoption, please get in touch with us to find out more information. Adopting can, and does change a child’s life.”

Do you think you could make a difference to a child’s life? If so, get in touch with the adoption team to find out more details on 01724 297024, email [email protected] or visit Adoption