THIS week is National Adoption week. As Councillor Bluh is away from the office for a few days, it is fitting that as Cabinet member for Children’s Services that I have an opportunity to encourage people to come forward as adopters.

One of the Council’s most important duties is to look after children, a process known as safeguarding. Very occasionally, this means that we may have to remove children permanently from their parent or parents to make sure that the children are kept out of harm. We also have to deal with other sad cases where children become orphans.

Alongside the excellent care provided through foster carers, the Council seeks to promote, through adoption, the stability that comes through having a family home environment. By having a large number of people who are willing to adopt, we can help match children to those homes where they will receive the best chance of becoming full members of their new family and be best equipped for life’s challenges.

Until recently, around 10 children a year were placed with adoptive parents in Swindon, but that figure has more than doubled in recent months and Swindon Borough Council’s Family Placement Team is looking for more families from all sections of the community to provide loving homes for those children who need them.

This problem is nationwide. There are an estimated 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year, many of whom will have suffered trauma in their short lives. Those who live in Swindon who wish to adopt may be invited to look after a child from elsewhere in the country.

That is why I am pleased to be supporting National Adoption Week, which was organised by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) and aims to raise awareness of adoption and encourage potential parents to come forward. I would encourage anyone wishing to find out more about adoption of these children to call Swindon Borough Council’s Family Placement Team on 01793 465700.

For more general information about National Adoption Week visit www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk 

On a separate, but equally important matter, I would like to remind people that the Civic Service of Remembrance will be held this Sunday, 11th November at the Cenotaph in Regent's Circus.

There will be a procession to the Cenotaph from the Old Town Hall at 10.40am so that the Two Minutes'' Silence can be observed.

There will be other ceremonies in local churches - for example, there will be a procession at 9.40am from Brewery Street to St Michael's Church, Highworth, for a 10am service.

Please attend one of these memorials if you can, so that we can honour those who continue to serve, as well as those who gave their lives for our freedom.