Adoption in the Black Country & Adoption Focus, the new name for the regional adoption consortium is calling for more people from this region to find out the facts about adoption as part of its NATIONAL ADOPTION WEEK campaign. All through the week the consortium will be breaking down some of the misconceptions about adoption and highlighting real needs such as the increasing requirement for adopters for older children and sibling groups.

The weeks activities will culminate in an information events on 19th October at Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill (6pm) and on the 24th October at the Novotel, Wolverhampton (6pm).

Nearly half (49%) of all children for whom families are being sought are part of a sibling group according to research carried out by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF). Sadly there is a shortage of adopters coming forward to adopt siblings.  According to the Adoption Register for England, out of a total number of the 663 children on the register, 366 are part of sibling groups.

Children who need to be adopted have usually had a hard start in life and it is even more important for them to experience the stability and support that being with their brothers and sisters can bring.  Sibling groups are amongst the children who wait longest to be adopted as there are not enough people coming forward who are able to give them a safe, permanent and loving family.

To find out more about adopting one child or more go to www.adoptionblackcountry.co.uk or come along to the regional adoption information events on 19th October at The Copthorne Hotel, Merry Hill or on 24th October at the Novotel, Wolverhampton . No need to register, just come along at 6pm