Could you adopt a child?

October 11, 2015 by Southend Borough Council

Could you adopt a child?

Monday 12th October 2015

Could you give children who can’t stay with their birth family the forever home they need?

If you are thinking about adopting, now is the time to explore the possibility even further.

As National Adoption Week approaches (19th to 23rd October), Southend Adoption Service is keen to urge those considering adoption, to take more steps towards this life-changing decision.

Executive Councillor for Children and Learning, Councillor Anne Jones said: “Adoption is a vital way to give children the stable, loving home they may have missed out on earlier.

“Sometimes people who would love to adopt, mistakenly rule themselves out because they fear they do not meet the official criteria, but we would strongly encourage them to take another look.

“This year, National Adoption Week especially features the need to find families for sibling groups and older children above the age of four who continue to be the ones who wait.

“In Southend we are running a publicity campaign particularly to raise awareness of this.”

Joanne and Gabrielle fulfilled their dream of having a large family when they adopted three siblings – a six-year-old girl and two boys aged four and two – in May 2014.

Joanne said: “We both came from big families so we’ve always wanted lots of children. When we first met them we saw their beaming smiles, but we know now how scared and nervous they actually were.

“It was challenging at first because we had to get used to having children in our life and adapt to a new routine, but one year on and we’re completely settled and have seen all three of them really grow as individual personalities.

“Potential adoptive parents tend to only consider one child, but adopting three children for us has been extremely rewarding – it’s so important for people to consider both older children and sibling groups.”

Here are some guidelines for those eligible to adopt:

• The main consideration is for you to be able to meet the emotional and developmental needs of the child.
• You have to be over 21 and there is no upper age limit.
• You do not have to be married or in a civil partnership to adopt.
• Having a disability does not exclude you.
• You will have to disclose any criminal offences.
• You will have to have a medical.
• You will have to provide four references.

If you are interested in adopting, then the first stage is to complete an initial enquiry form available from http://www.southend.gov.uk/info/200443/adoption and attend an Adoption Information Event.

These are being held at Southend Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6ER, and the next three sessions are taking place on:

• Thursday 22nd October at 5:30pm until 7:30pm
• Monday 23rd November at 5:30pm until 7:30pm
• Wednesday 16th December at 8am until 10am

For more details, or to reserve a place at one of the events, please call 01702 212938 or email: adoption@southend.gov.uk

After attending an information event and considering the matter very carefully, potential adopters who would like to proceed are invited to email Southend Adoption Service at adoption@southend.gov.uk for the process to begin.