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HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT FOSTERING A CHILD OR ADOPTING?

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14 May 2008

FAMILIES WILLING to adopt youngsters are still urgently needed, a national charity has said.

The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) has said there is still a shortage of families looking to permanently look after children in care.

The charity has said agencies particularly need families for older children, groups of brothers and sisters who need to stay together and children whose development may be delayed or uncertain.

There are around 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year. The appeal has been timed to correspond with National Adoption Week, from November 5-11, which has been organised by the charity.

David Holmes, Chief Executive of BAAF, said: "Most children who come 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 other severe family problems. 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."

To find out more about adopting a child, please visit www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk

Many people think about adoption but do not look into it further because of their age or personal circumstances. The charity is urging people not to rule themselves out and says suitable adopters can come from all backgrounds.

You do NOT have to be:

• A home owner
• Working
• Under 40
• Married or in a relationship
• Heterosexual
• A parent
• Specially qualified.

You DO have to be:

• Over 21
• Happy to make space in your life and home for a child
• Patient
• Flexible and energetic
• Determined to make a real difference to a child's life
• For a lifetime.

You can be a foster carer…

- Whether you have your own children or not  -  If you are single, married or living with a partner  -  If you are in or out of work  -  Whether you live in your own home or rent  -  Whatever your race, religion or sexuality

Applying to be a foster carer…
If you are interested in being a foster carer the first thing to do is contact your local fostering service. For those living in Southwark this is based at 47B East Dulwich Road. To contact them by phone, call 0800 9520707

What happens next?
If you have been accepted as somebody suitable to be a foster carer, you will need to be checked out by the Criminal Records Bureau. They will run your name through their system and check that you have not committed any offence which would rule you out from being a foster carer. You will also be given a health check, to rule out any possible health issues.

You will then sit down with a social worker, who will help you fill in an application form and ask you to attend a group preparation session with other local people who are applying.

Once this has been completed, your application will be sent to an independent fostering panel, who will make a final
recommendation whether or not you are suitable to become a foster carer.

How long will this take?
The whole process can take up to six months.

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