Adopt with KCC this National Adoption Week

More adopters are needed for older children, those with complex needs and brothers and sisters in Kent.

This week is National Adoption Week (17-23 October) and Kent County Council is raising awareness of the children in its care who need to find their forever families.

Children like sisters Scarlett, nearly seven, and Amy, five. This fun-loving, active pair love running around outside, swimming, visits to the park and their favourite film is Frozen.

Scarlett likes being in charge and, like any normal siblings, the pair can sometimes squabble but most of the time they play together happily. Amy enjoys dancing, whizzing around on her scooter, and playing with her dolls, while animal-lover Scarlett loves to draw, read, dress up, and ride her bike. They both enjoy school where they are progressing well, and have lots of friends.

The sisters have dual heritage and they are looking for a family which can understand their background, offer lots of love and one-to-one attention.

Finding the right family now could change these children’s lives forever.

Kent County Council wants adoptive families for children, who are seeking homes with their siblings or have complex needs.

In 2015/16, 108 children were adopted from KCC’s care and a further 29 have been adopted since April with 35 more applying for an adoption order.

Adoptions in Kent are getting quicker too, with children spending less time looked after in local authority care  before finding a loving, permanent home.

Kent Adoption Service has a dedicated team of therapist and social workers who provide a whole range of support for children and their adoptive parents beyond the granting of the adoption order.

Peter Oakford, KCC Cabinet Member for Specialist Children’s Services, said: “We have worked hard to reduce the times children are spending in care, because the sooner a child is in their forever home, the quicker he or she can settle in and thrive. The challenge for us is finding the right homes for children who come from difficult backgrounds, who may be older, have health issues or developmental delay or need to find a family with their brothers or sisters. We have extensive post-adoption support, tailor-made to your family, which lasts throughout their childhood and beyond. When the right match is made, adopting a child brings amazing rewards.”

Kent County Council is holding a drop-in event this week for anyone who wants to find out more about adoption and speak to adopters:

Date: Saturday 22 October 2016

Drop in Sessions: Between 10am – 2pm, with presentations at 10:30am and 12 noon.
Location: Oakwood House Hotel, Oakwood Park, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8AE.

Anyone who cannot attend the information event can visit kentadoption.co.uk or call our initial enquiries team on 03000 422 373 to find out about adoption.