Forever In Your Family, Forever In Your Heart

There are around 4,000 children across the UK needing adopting and over 30 of these are local to Peterborough - now is your chance to change a child’s life for the better

National Adoption Week takes place between 5 and 11 November 2012 and Peterborough City Council is appealing for people to make the life changing decision to give a child a loving home forever.

‘Forever in your family, forever in your heart’ is the new campaign launched by the city council’s Adoption Service, urging people from all walks of life to make a positive impact on a child’s life.

We are looking for families who can offer an adoptive home to children and sibling groups aged four and upwards. Your marital status, gender and sexuality doesn’t matter as long as you can make a lifelong commitment to providing a loving family home for a child or children who, for whatever reason, cannot return to their birth family.

Throughout the week, information stands will be displayed across the city and surrounding towns, providing the opportunity to ask questions, find out more and receive advice on the adoption process and if it is right for you.

The adoption stands will be displayed in the locations below:

• Saturday 3 November, Serpentine Green, Hampton, 9am to 5pm.

• Thursday 8 November, Queensgate Shopping Centre, 9am to 8pm.

• Saturday 10 November, Springfields, Spalding, 9am to 5pm.

• Sunday 11 November, Grafton Centre, Cambridge, 11am to 5pm.

• Friday 30 November, Swansgate, Wellingborough, 9am to 5pm.

Sue Westcott, Assistant Director for Safeguarding Families and Communities for Peterborough City Council said

We are looking for adoptive families in Peterborough and the surrounding areas. Typically, we need to find 20 to 30 homes for adoptive children each year. Homes are needed for children aged four years and upwards and there is also a need for people who can adopt sibling groups, children with disabilities or health problems and children from black and ethnic minority backgrounds. The process of identifying, assessing and approving new adopters happens throughout the year so expressions of interest are welcomed from prospective adopters at any time

Councillor Sheila Scott, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services for Peterborough City Council, added

The decision to adopt is not one that should be taken lightly and certainly isn’t something to be rushed, however giving a child the opportunity to thrive in a loving environment is hugely rewarding. There are many myths around who can and cannot adopt, but the fact is that people from all walks of life can. Prospective adopters will need to illustrate that they have the capacity to develop good parenting skills plus the insight, resilience and patience to respond to the emotional needs of a child who may have experienced traumatic early life events. However, our adoption team will provide plenty of support to help people make a success of adoption

Have you got a loving home which you could share with a child in need? If you have a room to spare and time to share find out more about adoption by calling (01733) 317448 or visit www.peterborough.gov.uk/adoption

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