PROMOTION
WHEN you adopt a child, you transform their life, and your own, forever. If you’re thinking about taking the first step, and you live within 30 miles of Salford, consider getting in touch with Salford City Council. They’re on a drive to recruit adopters, and they’re looking beyond the boundaries of their city to find them.
"The whole process was much quicker than we thought it would be. We went to the open day in January and were approved at panel in November."
Their support service for adoptive parents and children is rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, making it one of the best in the country. And they’re encouraging potential adopters from all walks of life to contact them.
Who can adopt?
The most important thing is that you can provide a loving, stable home for a child.
You can be heterosexual or homosexual, single, living together, or married. As long as you are in a stable situation, rather than in a new relationship or recently split up, you can become an adopter.
You can be renting or a home owner – just so long as you have a spare room for your new family member.
You don’t need to be employed – you can be self-employed or not working.
There’s no upper age limit. They’re particularly looking for people age 25 and above but they do consider younger people.
Men are just as welcome to enquire as women. In fact, they’re actively encouraging more men to make the first step.
And of course, you can be from any ethnicity or religion.
Salford is particularly looking for people who can adopt siblings – brothers and sisters who want to stay together in their new family. They’re also keen to find people who can adopt children age three and above.
They have children of all ages in need of a secure, caring family. If you think that you can offer it, the first step is to request an info pack and go to one of their open evenings where you can meet the team and hear personal experiences from adoptive parents.
Said one Salford adopter, “The whole process was much quicker than we thought it would be. We went to the open day in January and were approved at panel in November.”
Another adopter also found it took less time than they expected: “It’s hard to believe that 12 months ago we were sitting in an open evening and now we have a wonderful daughter in our family. It’s like she’s always been here!”
The next open evening is on Thursday 13 November 2014. The team will give you the location when you contact them.
Take the first step: call Salford’s Adoption Team on 0161 799 1268 or email family.recruitment@salford.gov.uk.
