Manchester appeals for more carers and adopters

Manchester is throwing its weight behind the national appeal for carers and adopters during National Adoption Week (5-11 November.)

A DVD about adoption - available free of charge - has been produced for Manchester Family Placement Service to back up the appeal.

In Manchester, the search is on for families to care for older children, brothers and sisters and children from black backgrounds.

There are more than 4,000 children across the UK who need adopting every year. In Manchester 95 children need adoptive families.

"Every child is special and needs to grow up in a loving, secure family," said Coun Sheila Newman, Executive Member for Children's Services on Manchester City Council. "But many have had a very difficult or chaotic start in life and desperately need stability."

She added: "Initially, we are simply asking people to come forward and find out more about adoption. All you have to do is pick up the phone."

The number for more information and the DVD is 0161 860 7666. People can also email familyduty@manchester.gov.uk or visit the council's website, http://www.manchester.gov.uk/

Chief Executive of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, David Holmes, said: "Most of the children who go into public care go home within weeks. But it is a sad fact that some children are simply unable to return to their birth family because of neglect, abuse or perhaps just because their parents are unable to cope with being a parent. Adoption is one of the best ways we know of giving these children a family for life. Some of them have had traumatic experiences, others have learning difficulties or health problems and it's crucial that loving and permanent families are found for them."

Media contact:

Jane Lemon, tel: 0161 234 3179