Cumbria County Council launches its biggest ever adoption campaign today in the hope of encouraging more people in Cumbria to consider adopting and find out more first-hand.
Cllr Anne Burns, Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services, said: “Our adoption service want the very best for our children and adopters, and work tirelessly to match children with the right forever families.
“Over the last 5 years, we have found permanent families for 270 local children who needed the security and love that adoptive parents provide.
“We’re always ready to talk to people who are considering adopting, so if that’s you, please take that first step and contact us.”
The county council welcomes adopters regardless of age, marital status, gender, sexuality, disability or employment status and in most cases the process takes 6-8 months.
Last year, the council’s adoption service matched 43 children with adoptive parents and almost a third of the children were placed with LGBT families, more than half of the adopters were over 40 years old, half already had children in their family and a small number of single people adopted.
The adoption process is surrounded by many myths and misconceptions but the county council is encouraging people to find out the realities for themselves; and who knows, 2020 could be the year they change the life of a child and their own life too.
People who are considering adoption can tune into the @cumbriafosteringandadoption Facebook page over the next 4 weeks as they share more information about the children, the process, myth-busters and advice from their experienced adoption service staff.
What’s more, events are taking place across the county, including bookable private appointments in Carlisle, Penrith, Workington and Barrow; plus an additional information event in Penrith on Tuesday 4 February 2020 at The George Hotel.
More information can be found at www.cumbria.gov.uk/adoption.
