Regional agency Adopt East launches

A regional agency has been launched to recruit adopters across the East of England. 

Adopt East will work across local authorities in Southend, Thurrock, Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Bedford and Luton to find families for children who are waiting to find a home.

Adoptionplus, Barnardo’s and Adoption UK are also part of the partnership.

‘We are excited to launch the Adopt East alliance in line with Department for Education guidance,’ said executive head, Sarah Johnson.

‘We are doing this as there are large number of children where it is increasingly difficult to find loving homes for. By working together, we will be able to recruit a larger and more diverse collection of adopters going forward. We have a wealth of expertise across the eastern region and bringing this together will enable us to match more children with their families.’

Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr John Fisher, added: ‘Whether you are single, in a same sex relationship, are living in rented accommodation or own your own home, have a pet or have a disability – please don’t rule yourself out – all we see are potential loving adoptive parents.

‘I urge anyone who has been thinking about adoption, that they make contact and speak to our friendly team who will be able to talk to you about what adoption might mean for you and start you on your journey to giving a child their forever family.

‘Adopt East is great news for Norfolk as it will mean we can draw on expertise and skills from across the whole region to help us to find the right families for our children.’

Earlier this week, the education secretary Gavin Williamson accused some councils of ‘snobbery’ when it comes to the adoption selection process.

In a speech to mark National Adoption Week, he said ‘too many local authorities are putting up’ barriers.

Photo Credit – Geralt (Pixabay)