Partners in Adoption, the consortium for adoption in Havering, Southend and Thurrock are holding an open evening for prospective adoptive parents on Wednesday 10 November at the Orsett Hall Hotel, Prince Charles Avenue, Orsett.
The information session will start at 6.30pm with a light buffet, followed by a presentation and then a question and answer session. The open evening will run in conjunction with National Adoption Week which is from 1 to 7 November.
Cllr Charles Curtis, Cabinet member for Children’s Social Care said: “By becoming an adoptive parent, you will be giving a loving home to a child who can no longer be brought up by their birth parents.
“When you adopt, you take on all legal rights and responsibilities for the child. It is a lifelong commitment and, like all parenting, means sticking with it through both good and hard times. It’s not always easy but, as many adoptive parents will tell you, it is extremely rewarding.”
Cllr Curtis added: “I hope as many potential adoptive parents as possible from Thurrock will attend the opening evening and hopefully give a child a new home.”
The adoption service will match every child to the right family, taking into account the child’s emotional, health and developmental needs. It is found that children do best in a family that reflects their ethnic identity as closely as possible, so a wide range of people with different backgrounds and experiences are welcome.
Enquiries from black and minority ethnic communities, including dual heritage applicants are especially welcome, as there are children that are waiting to be adopted from these backgrounds.
But whatever your background, you could be eligible to adopt: married, single, divorced, gay, own your own home or rent. There is no upper age limit for applications, but you must be over 21. You can come from any religious background and from any culture. You could already have your own children or have no children, it doesn’t matter! You do need to have patience, energy and be able to positively transform a child’s life.
If you would like further information prior to the open evening visit www.partners-in-adoption.co.uk , call 0800 652 1271 or email fostering.adoption@thurrock.gov.uk .
