Bournemouth Council’s first involvement in an Adoption Activity Day was a great success with a third of the children attending being placed with a new adoptive family.
Organised by the British Association of Adoption & Fostering, with the help of the Council’s adoption team and other local authorities and voluntary agencies, the day provided an opportunity for prospective adopters to meet children who need an adoptive home.
Six children were able to enjoy everything from art, face painting and comedy shows to bouncy castles as potential adopters were encouraged to play with the children in the hope that an adopter might bond with a child.
Foster carers, who do a great job with the children, were also on hand to give assurance to the children alongside social workers.
A documentary shown on Channel 4 last evening looked at the concept of Adoption activity days and the positive outcomes they have achieved.
Councillor Nicola Greene, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, said:
“Days such as these are invaluable for both the children and prospective adoptive families to bond and form an attachment with each other. It is great news that two out of the six children who attended now have a new adoptive family.
“We still need more people to come forward and provide looked after children with the chance to grow up in stable, loving adoptive homes. They can be from a variety of backgrounds- they may be single, married, heterosexual or same sex couples. I would encourage anyone who believes they can help to get in contact with our Adoption Services Team.”
Adoption Activity Days are one of the ways that Bournemouth Council’s award winning adoption team use to find the right family for children who have endured a difficult start in life and need to be adopted.
Bournemouth are continually looking for potential parents to adopt children both in Bournemouth and nationwide who need permanence through adoption.
If you would like more information about adoption or feel you wish to adopt then contact the team on 01202 456743 or visit www.bournemouth.gov.uk/adoption
