Help transform the lives of children in Cornwall through adoption
9:18am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News
Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly Adoption Agency is looking for loving people to help transform the lives of children in Cornwall by becoming an adoptive parent.
There are an estimated 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year and every year the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) organises a week of events to raise awareness of adoption and encourage potential parents to come forward.
This year’s National Adoption Week is being held from 5 to 11 November.
On average around 40 children a year are places in loving homes in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The children range in age, some are sibling groups, and some have special needs.
Nick and Marie have adopted three children in Cornwall. “We have three children, all adopted” said Nick. “They are inquisitive, curious, argumentative, energetic bundles of mischief. They are also beautiful, angelic, adorable and can even be well-behaved at times! They are just like any other children and their moods and needs change with the wind direction. What doesn’t change, though, is our love for them.
“Before we adopted, I admit that I was not sure how I would take to the role of adoptive father. We were both nervous about doing the right things and looking after them properly but, as each of our children came into our lives and added their own colour and character to our family life, it became the most natural thing in the world to be their forever mummy and daddy.
"We couldn’t love our three gorgeous little ones more and helping them to grow, develop and tackle the challenges that life brings is the most joyful and rewarding experience of both of our lives.
Just as every child is different, so every adoptive parent brings different life experiences, backgrounds and skills to the care and support they can give. You can be single, married in a same sex relationship, in rented accommodation, in receipt of benefits, and from any ethnic or religious background. “There are no blanket bans on adoption” said Neil Burden, the Council’s lead member for Children’s Services. “What we need are people who can offer a child or sibling group a stable, loving home and help them recover from the reasons why they came into care and to thrive in a new family”.
As part of this year’s National Adoption Week Cornwall Council and the Isles of Scilly Adoption Agency will be holding an Adoption Information Meeting on Thursday 8 November at New County Hall
For more information call the Adoption Team on 01872 32200, or email adoption@cornwall.gov.uk .
