Adoptive parents are being sought by Bath & North East Somerset Council. As part of National Adoption Week, from 31 October to 6 November, the Council is encouraging anyone interested in adopting a child to get in touch for a friendly and supportive chat.
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown), Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, and Deputy Leader of Council, said: “Bath & North East Somerset Council welcomes people who are interested in giving a child a home through adoption. The first step is to call social worker Ruth Martin in the Family Placement Team on 01225 395332, who will answer your immediate questions and invite you to an information evening.
“We hold these every few months so that people who want to find out more about adoption can come along and hear from social workers and experienced adopters about what is involved. We aim to have a relaxed and friendly atmosphere so that people can ask any questions they wish to. We explain what the next steps are and talk about some of the challenges in adoption but also the rewards.“
The Council has already helped a number of people to take steps towards adopting a child but many more loving homes are needed. The next adoption information evening will be held on Tuesday 29 November at 6.15pm in Bath.
Full details are available from Ruth Martin.
Comments received from prospective adoptive parents so far include:
“The open evening was extremely useful in understanding the adoption process and the obvious pleasures of offering children in care an opportunity in life but also recognising the potential issues we may face; especially listening to some of the upsetting issues and backgrounds the children had lived. Through a relaxed, informal session we were all able to ask all manner of questions and nothing was deemed to be ‘too stupid a question’. Afterwards over a cup of tea we were able to speak to the counsellors and somebody who had just recently adopted two children, which was especially enlightening. We are now at the stage where we have been invited to undertake the three-day training programme in the next stage of the process.” – Kerry and Brian
“Following the information evening, we had a clear overview of the whole adoption ‘journey’ for the first time. The presenters were very approachable when it came to answering our questions, and put our minds at ease on several issues.” – Henry and Jane
“As a lesbian couple we had concerns about how the adoption process would facilitate us. Having attended the information evening all our fears were alleviated; we found the evening informative, the adoption staff extremely approachable and knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions.” – Dee and Angie
“The open evening was held in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and we both found it interesting and informative. Having the chance to meet and talk to someone who had already adopted through Bath & North East Somerset Council was especially useful. The evening focused on the needs of the child and the adoption process but was also able find the time to answer the many questions of the prospective adopters.” – Sally and Mike
Bath & North East Somerset Council are also seeking foster carers, including those who are interested in joining a specialist “Parent and Child” scheme where foster carers provide placements to one or both parents and their children (under 5 years).
The placements support, advise and assess parents who need extra help in caring for their children. Placing the parent and child together in a foster placement enables intensive work to be undertaken with the family within their own community and allows clear assessment information to be gathered which will inform on-going plans for the child.
To find out more about adopting or fostering with Bath & North East Somerset Council, call Ruth Martin in the Family Placement Team on 01225 395340, email [email protected] or visit http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/adoptingfostering.