LOVING ‘forever families’ are being sought to provide and care for children aged four and above across the borough.
Oldham Council is hoping National Adoption Week this week – October 19 to 25 – will inspire residents to come forward and open up their homes to a youngster, especially older ones.
This year’s theme is ‘Too old at 4?’ after statistics published recently reveal the average age of children waiting to be placed in adoptive families is just four years old.
These figures from First4Adoption are based on information from the National Adoption Register which records the details of children who have waited the longest to be matched with adoptive families.
Councillor Jenny Harrison, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding, said: “Unfortunately the majority of potential adopters often prefer to parent a baby rather than an older child.
“What’s surprising is that these so-called older children are as young as four and may not have even started school.
“Some people may think that children are more difficult to manage the older they get, but this is simply not true. By adopting you are giving a child a loving home and helping them get a good start in life.
“Our focus this week is to find homes for these children, so if you are interested in adopting, please get in touch.”
You can apply to adopt regardless of marital status, sexuality, race or religion, or whether you are in work or have a disability. Applicants need to be over 21 and have a spare bedroom.
The local authority also welcomes enquiries from people who live outside the Oldham area.
For more information, contact Oldham Adoption Service on 0161 770 6605 or visit: www.oldham.gov.uk/adoption
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