New ways to find new families

A groundbreaking new approach to finding families for children who need them is being supported by Manchester City Council.

Adoption 22 - a collaboration of 22 adoption agencies in the north west, together with voluntary adoption agencies in the region and including Manchester- has taken the unusual step of taking space in a national newspaper supplement in the hope of breaking the deadlock for children who are waiting for a home.

The whole of the Guardian's Family supplement on Saturday 6 October will be devoted to adoption, including real-life stories and information about adoption and an interview with Adoption 22's steering group chair, Steve Titcombe, Head of Children's Services in Rochdale.

Manchester's difficulties in finding families for children are mirrored in other adoption agencies throughout the north west, so Adoption 22 decided that a joint approach might bring the best results.

Their hope is to recruit prospective adopters for the whole region, from Cumbria to Cheshire, so that by pooling resources they will find a wide range of people to suit the needs of children who are looking for a home.

Eileen Bower, Operations Manager for Adoption 22, said: "We know that there are people out there who would make fantastic adopters and we really wanted to give a big push to our efforts to find homes for these children.

"At present there are more than 300 children waiting for a family in this region and we would urge people to look at our spread in the Guardian, or contact their local agency, if they think they might be able to help.

"They don't need special skills or a particular lifestyle - just the ability to provide a secure and loving home for children who have experienced loss, disruption or neglect."

The Executive Member for Children's Services, Councillor Sheila Newman, said: "There are some children, perhaps disabled or a little older, who have been waiting for some time to be placed with a family. What we are looking for is a home where they will feel secure and loved within a family setting."

The advert will direct people who may be interested in adopting to a website called 'Look After Me' and a freephone number.

In the meantime, anyone interested in adoption - or in fostering children on a temporary basis - can contact Manchester City Council's Family Placement Service on 0161 274 6287 or see our web site.

• 45 prospective adopters were approved by Manchester City Council in 2006/7
• 50 children that were matched with adoptive parents in 2006/07
• We have currently 91 children waiting for adoptive families, these are: -
• older children
• children with special needs, and
• children being placed with their sibling.

Media contact:

Dave Hulme, 0161-234-4610