LOVING families in Swindon are being encouraged to bring stability into the lives of children by signing up to the town’s adoption register.

Swindon Council’s Family Placement Team (FPT) is looking for families to provide homes for children in the foster care system including older children, sibling groups and children with special needs ahead of National Adoption Week, which starts today.

Between 12 and 20 children in Swindon need to be adopted every year, but many of the town’s eligible parents are snapped up by other local authorities who have found them a match with a child.

The Family Placement Team has 17 families in Swindon who are looking for a child to adopt, but are keen to speak to others interested in adoption. Lesley Harwood, assistant team manager with the Family Placement Team’s Adoption Unit, said: “Please don’t think we’ll turn you down because you’re over 40, single, or don’t own your own home.

“What we really need are people who can offer a child or sibling group a loving and supportive family for life.

“People who can help a child recover from the reasons why they came in to care and can help them go on to thrive in a new family. Initially, we are simply asking people to come forward and find out more about adoption. If you think you might have what it takes, please pick up the phone today.”

Sandra Blake, 46, from Haydon Wick, has been a foster carer for four years, but recently adopted a 12-year-old girl in her care. She said: “I have probably looked after 20 different children over the last four years but I just felt the time was right to adopt.

“There is more stability for the child when you adopt and you can see what a difference it makes to their lives. The adoption process is long winded, but it was made very easy by the Family Placement Team, who provide a lot of support.”

National Adoption Week is organised by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) and aims to raise awareness of adoption and encourage potential parents to come forward.

There are an estimated 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year, many of whom will have suffered trauma. David Holmes, chief executive of BAAF, said: “It is a sad fact that some children are simply unable to remain with their birth family, because of neglect, abuse or perhaps just because their parents are unable to cope.

“Adoption is one of the best ways we know of giving these children a new family for life. Children with lots of different types of early experience may need adopting – some of them have had traumatic experiences, others have learning difficulties or health problems and it’s crucial that loving and permanent families are found for them.”

Anyone wishing to find out more about adoption should call the council’s Family Placement Team on 01793 465 700.