Posted on Tuesday 8th November 2011
Most children is need of adoptive parents in Staffordshire are placed twice as quickly as those in most other areas.
Latest figures released in National Adoption Week show that the process of becoming an adoptive parent with Staffordshire County Council only takes 14 months on average.
This compares to an average of 2 years and seven months from other local authorities.
“Our dedicated adoption service absolutely understands that speed is of the essence for children in need of a stable, committed family, and indeed for the prospective families who have that love to give,” said Cabinet member for Children’s Wellbeing, Mike Lawrence, “so our investment in more training and more support for adoptive parents is really paying off.
Our Adoption Service carries a ‘good’ rating from Ofsted in no small part because of our efforts to prepare both the prospective families and the child as quick as possible, whilst making sure that no corners are cut.
It’s about making sure that everyone in the family is ready before the child is permanently placed with them. First and foremost, we have to ensure a happy and stable environment, and this can’t be rushed.
I don’t want potential adoptive families to be put off by recent publicity about how slow and complicated adopting is. Here in Staffordshire, it’s never been easier, and is a really rewarding thing to do to make sure that the very best of young potential is realised.
And from 2013, adopted children will be guaranteed their choice of primary and secondary schools – a real plus for prospective parents.”
59 children are currently in need of a loving home in Staffordshire. Anyone interested in making a real difference to a child in need can have a chat with a member of the specialist recruitment team for free on 0800 169 2061.
Prospective families can also find out everything they need to know about the quick and supportive process of becoming adoptive parent at the new website, www.care4child.org| .