Could you give a child a loving home?

Last year, 56 children being looked after by Bradford Council Social Services were adopted and given the chance of a brighter future.

But about 55 youngsters are currently on the waiting list because they cannot return to their birth families.

Now Bradford Council's Head of Children's Services, Kath Tunstall, is calling on people who may have considered adoption to get in touch.

She said: "Some people think about adoption but never look into it further because they don't believe they are suitable.

"They may also find the prospect of going through the adoption process daunting.

"We are looking for people from a wide range of backgrounds to provide loving and permanent homes.

"We are here to help them through the process, whether they call us during National Adoption Week or at any other time of the year.

"We particularly welcome inquiries from individuals or couples who are dual heritage - whether of Asian white or Caribbean white background.

"Some of the children have disabilities or health problems and they need families that will see beyond the problem and offer a permanent accepting home."

The Council is in discussion with prospective adopters for 17 of the 55 children in its care.

A number are brothers and sisters of children already adopted who may be able to join the same family.

In the Bradford area there is a particular need for adoptive families for boys aged between five and eight.

There are also girls in this age range waiting for permanent homes.

Bradford Council's Social Services is also keen to dispel the myth that many people are too old to adopt.

A spokesman said: "We have had successes with attracting adopters who have already parented their own children to young adulthood and still want to be involved in parenting.

"People who are in their 50s can approach us - we value the experience that people can offer at that age."

Adopters are also needed for children with health problems and disabilities. Some are under two and need families to help them live a full life.

Experience of work with children in a health setting may be helpful.

The spokesman said: "We are always interested in meeting couples or single people who are black, Asian or of dual heritage.

"Bradford needs to place a significant number of children who are of dual heritage or of complex heritage."

From January, unmarried couples in long-term relationships in England and Wales will be eligible to adopt as a couple instead of one partner being the legal parent.

Felicity Collier, chief executive of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, said: "There are thousands of unmarried couples who may have been put off by the current rules so we would urge them to find out more about what the changes in the law will mean for them."

Bradford Council's next adoption information evening is on Wednesday at the Aire Building, in Saltaire Road, Shipley, from 6.30pm to 8pm.

There is another information meeting on Wednesday, December 13, and monthly dates from January.

At the meetings adopters and foster carers talk about their experiences and social workers are on hand to answer questions.

Anyone who is interested in becoming an adopter should contact Jean Walker on (01274) 434331 for an information pack.

e-mail: newsdesk@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

Experience needed for approval panels

Bradford Council's Adoption Team is recruiting people who have been adopted, or who have a close family member who has been adopted, for its adoption panels'.

The panels are responsible for the approval of adopters, confirming plans for children who need adoption and considering plans to place children with particular adopters.

Each panel is made up of ten members - social workers, Bradford councillors, doctors, foster carers and adopters.

Bob Davidson, a senior care manager with the adoption team, said: "We need people who have personal experience of adoption to join the panels.

"Panels have legal advice and help from an experienced adoption manager and are chaired by an independent person."

To be able to sit on a panel you have to: l have been adopted or have a close relative who has been adopted l be at least 21 l agree to checks with the police and have other references taken up l be able to attend a panel for one day each month (always a Monday) and have another day to read the papers which are sent in advance to all panel members l be in a position to make a commitment to attend more than 75 per cent of the panel meetings each year and be willing to look at a three-year period as a panel member l be able to keep sensitive information safe and confidential.

Mr Davidson said the team particularly welcomed expressions of interest from black and minority ethnic adults as they are under-represented on the panels.

Panel members receive expenses, training and, most importantly, the knowledge that they are helping to provide a valuable service to children and young people in the Bradford district.

Anyone who is interested should send information about themselves to: Sarah Patrick, Unit Manager, Adoption and Fostering Unit, 35, Saltaire Road, Shipley, BD18 3HH.

For more information, contact Mr Davidson on (01274) 434348.

Life-changing experience

A proud mum today told how she is now part of a real family after she and her husband adopted two young Bradford boys.

The brothers, who were fostered from birth, have a permanent loving home with the couple who live close to the city. The mum and dad, both in their late 30s, are unable to have children of their own. They contacted Bradford Council and were "matched" to a three-year-old boy.

"We went to introduction sessions to build a relationship with him and then he came home with us," said the mum, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.

When the Council saw how well the child had settled into his new home, they asked the couple if they could take his baby brother as well.

Now the family of four has settled into a close and loving unit although mum warns any would-be adopters that it has "not all been roses."

"It is very difficult in the early stages," she said. "There has to be a rapid adjustment. You do not have that period of nine months with a baby growing in your tummy - within a week you have a three-year-old."

The older boy has been part of the family for almost two years. His brother, aged one, is settling in well after several months in his new home.

The boys are of Afro-Caribbean and white ethnic mix. Their adoptive mum is white and their dad is Afro-Caribbean. "We look forward to the future as a happy family," mum said.

Both boys are being brought up knowing they are adopted. There is a family photo of the elder child at court with his new parents when the adoption was made fully legal.

His mother warned that although adoption is wonderful it is a life-changing experience that brings challenges. "Go in with your eyes open," she said. "It is not a fairytale but it gets even more rewarding as it progresses. I love my sons dearly but it is not all roses.

"Our older son has been unsettled by the arrival of his brother. We are sure they will be delighted to be brought up together but at the moment he is still adjusting."

TO ADOPT

You must:

• be at least 21 years old. People over 45 are less likely to be considered for a child under four but there is flexibility depending on the type of child and the need for placements

• live in the Bradford district or within reasonable travelling distance

• have ended any infertility investigations or treatment at least six months ago

• be a non-smoker if you wish to adopt a child under two.

• you do not have to be a home owner, working, under 40, married or in a relationship, heterosexual, a parent or specially qualified.