STOCKTON-ON-TEES Borough Council is making a fresh appeal for people to consider adoption to help transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable children in the area.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Adoption team is hosting an information session on Thursday 22 June 2017, between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at the Dolphin Centre, Horsemarket in Darlington.
Interested residents can find out what’s involved in the adoption journey, including what kind of preparation, training and help prospective adopters can expect from the Council.
There are more than 400 children and young people across the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees who, for various reasons, cannot live with their birth families and need to be looked after. Many children who need adoptive families will be placed outside Stockton-on-Tees and are waiting for permanent families in areas such as Darlington, as well as further afield across the North East and North Yorkshire.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Councillor Ann McCoy, says: “Children and young people come into care for a wide range of reasons and adoptive parents have the potential to transform their lives.
“Our adopters are inspirational people who come from all walks of life, who most importantly give loving homes to some of the most vulnerable children in the region. We urgently need more adopters.
“So if you love children and think you have what it takes to make a difference, we encourage you to make an enquiry to the Council or come along to our event. Many of our adopters say adopting is the best thing they’ve ever done.”
The Council is looking for people to consider adoption of babies, toddlers, children and young people, and particularly groups of brothers and sisters, as well as children with complex needs, as these children often wait the longest to find their ‘forever family’.
Many people rule themselves out of adoption before even making an enquiry. Adopters come from a wide range of backgrounds and follow a diversity of religions.
To book a place at the event or for more information about adoption, call Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Child Placement team on 01642 526218 or visit www.stockton.gov.uk/adoption