JULY marks the second anniversary of the launch of the regional adoption agency, Adoption Counts

The agency has spent two years bringing together the skills and expertise of the adoption services of five local authorities: Cheshire East Council, Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Stockport Council, and Trafford Council.

There are currently a high number of children waiting to be adopted in Cheshire East especially sibling groups, Black, Asian and minority ethnic children and children with complex needs.

Councillor Dorothy Flude, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “Our regional adoption agency is seeing some great results creating forever-families and helping to offer a loving home for children and young people when they need it most.

“As a council and through the agency we continue to work hard to ensure that cared for children and young people have the opportunity to live in good, safe homes locally, either with their family or in another permanent home, as early as possible. I urge anyone who is interested in adopting to get in touch.”

In just one year, Adoption Counts has approved 85 adoptive families and found a forever family for 121 children.

Sue Westwood, Adoption Counts regional manager, who was recently awarded an MBE for services to vulnerable children and families, said: “Two years after launching, our goal is still the same: to constantly improve our practices to make sure we are providing children with the right adopters, at the right time - reducing the delay in finding them forever homes and working harder for those who have waited the longest to be placed.

“We are committed to do our very best to safeguard children and families. With so many children in desperate need of parents who can love and nurture them, we are continually trying to raise awareness about adoption, in the hope that more and more people will pick up the phone to speak to our experienced staff at Adoption Counts to start their adoption journey.

“Just making that initial enquiry could be truly life changing – for children and adopters alike.”