ST HELENS Adoption and Foster Care Service is launching another drive to find prospective adopters to consider providing a permanent new home for children in and around the borough.

National Adoption Week, organised by the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), and supported by St Helens Council, will run from October 11 to 17 and aims to recruit more adopters for children in care.

There are normally up to 20 children in St Helens awaiting adoption and it is hoped that the week will make a real difference for at least some of them.

This year's theme is 'Adoption - Families for Life' to stress the lifelong benefits that a permanent family can offer adopted children.

Chairman of St Helens Council's Social Services Committee, Councillor Leon McGuire, said: "Every child deserves the opportunity to have a family for life. Some children may have experienced insecure family life, neglect or abuse and have spent time in care. These children are looking for the stability that only adoption can offer.

"Adoption provides children with a family who can support them into adulthood and be there at important moments to encourage them and share their successes. We want to encourage more people to come forward and consider adoption."

The council says it needs adopters from all backgrounds to meet the needs of a wide range of children.

For more information contact St Helens Foster Care Service on 01744 451647.

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