Have you considered adoption?

Published Thursday, 19th October 2017

HARTLEPOOL residents who can provide a stable and loving home for children are being asked to consider adoption.

The call comes from Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adoption Team as part of National Adoption Week 2017, which this year runs until Sunday (October 22).

Adoption is a way of providing a new family for children from a variety of backgrounds, including a range of ages and sibling groups.

Councillor Alan Clark, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Children’s Services Committee, said: “Sadly it is often the case that children – through no fault of their own – are unable to live with their birth family and we are keen to hear from people in the town who may be able to help.

“We need all kinds of different families to meet the varied needs of children and I would encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch.”

If you have a desire to enrich your life and have time and space in your family, then adopting a child with Hartlepool Borough Council could be an amazing experience.

One adoptive mother told Hartlepool Borough Council’s Adoption Team about her experience: “From the moment we were told there was a potential match, things moved quickly.

“We were given detailed reports about the children, met their social workers and foster families and any other adults who had worked with them.

“We were provided with as much information about them as possible and this lead quickly to a ‘Matching Panel’ and the start of introductions.

“We felt like we practically knew them before we actually met them and even at this point the love and attachment towards them had already started.

“That overwhelming feeling of excitement and anticipation waiting to meet them for the first time will never leave us.

“We have two beautiful children and find it hard to remember life without them.

“It feels like we have had them from birth, in fact the love and emotional bond is so strong I cannot imagine it would be any different with a birth child.”

People over 21, with or without children, employed or unemployed, with a partner, single or married, regardless of race, gender, religion or sexuality may be able to adopt.

If you feel you would like to know more about adoption, please contact the Adoption Team on (01429) 405588 or fosterandadopt@hartlepool.gov.uk