9 November 2007

Raising Awareness of Adoption and Fostering

To mark National Adoption Week, 5-11 November, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s Family Placement Team has been raising awareness of adoption and fostering.

The Family Placement Team is using the 10^th anniversary of National Adoption Week to remind people that there is still a shortage of families for some children in care.

Martin McGrath, Head of Family Placement Services, Southern Health and Social Care Trust says: “Adoption and fostering provides the opportunity for a looked after child to live in a family environment rather than living in a residential setting. There are more than 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year and on any one day around 2,500 children and young people are living with foster carers in Northern Ireland. To achieve this, we need a large pool of highly skilled and well-trained families from a wide range of backgrounds.

“The process for becoming a foster carer or adoptive parent is rigorous but there are no blanket bans, so please don’t think we’ll turn you down because of your age, if you are single, or don’t own your home. We need people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving family. People who can help a child recover from the reasons why they came in to care and can help them to thrive. Initially, we are simply asking people to come forward and find out more about adoption and fostering. If you think you might have what it takes, please pick up the phone today.”

Frances Nicholson Director of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering in Northern Ireland which organises adoption week says: “Sadly, some children are still waiting too long for loving families in Northern Ireland. It is crucial we raise the profile of adoption and fostering and encourage more families to come forward. We need families who can take toddlers or school age children or make it possible for groups of brothers and sisters to grow up together.”

Councillor Barry Monteith, Mayor of Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council who hosted an adoption week event in Dungannon Council Offices said: “I was only too happy to host the adoption and fostering event this week.  I pay tribute to everyone who is currently involved in adopting and fostering children and would encourage more members of the community to come forward and get involved."

Anyone interested in finding out more about adoption or fostering can call their local Family Placement Team: Armagh and Dungannon Tel: 028 8775 2033; Craigavon and Banbridge Tel: 028 3833 7181; Newry and Mourne Tel: 028 3083 2692/3.