LOCAL independent adoption agency and charity, Families for Children, is appealing for potential adopters to come forward who will consider adopting a sibling group. If adoptive families cannot be found soon then it is likely that these brothers and sisters will be separated.

New research published to mark National Adoption Week (October 16-22) says that 57 per cent of the children in the South West waiting for adoptive families are brothers and sisters in groups of two or more.

Figures from national adoption information service, First4Adoption, based on the latest government information, shows that sibling groups wait longer than single children to be placed with an adoptive family.

Caroline Davis, the charity CEO of 25 years, says: “The majority of people adopting for the first time choose to take a single child into their family.

"Also, it is often in the best interests of the children that a sibling group finds a family together rather than experience further trauma by being separated.

"This presents an extra challenge for social workers and these factors account for the high proportion of siblings in our region waiting for an adoptive family.”

The new research by Adoption Match and based on data from the Adoption Register for England also reveals that:

• 63 per cent of sibling groups awaiting adoption in the South West are children aged 4+

• 62 per cent of these groups awaiting adoption are made up of boys

• 17 per cent of the siblings groups awaiting adoption are black and minority ethnic children

The charity which placed seven sets of sibling groups from January to August this year, adds: “We’re asking anyone who may be considering adoption to think about whether they could parent siblings. There’s no denying that having more than one child comes with real challenges but it also has advantages and brings great rewards and Families for Children will be there to support you all the way.”

The charity, has also recently launched the Atrium, their new adoption support service which can provide on-going, sometimes crucial, support for adopters at any time in their or their children’s lives.

Like sibling groups, many of the children placed for adoption have come from a traumatic start in life and sometimes that history can manifest itself in behavioural and emotional problems as they get older.

Whilst in some children these effects are evident immediately and support is offered from the start, for other families it may not be needed until the child reaches puberty or adolescence.

The services available through the Atrium aim to target some of the support regularly needed as well as looking at educating those involved in the process including adopters, schools and wider networks.

For National Adoption Week the charity is launching its own campaign to find parents for sibling groups entitled: “Children who play together should stay together.”

Families for Children Adoption Agency is a specialist Adoption Agency Independent of the Local Authority. Families for Children provides advice and support for those who are considering adoption.

Families for Children offers on-going adoption support through the Atrium, Centre for Adoption Support, which means support is available to the child and new family for as long as it is needed.

Families for Children has placed more than 600 children in the last 25 years with new adoptive families in the South West and at any one time can be supporting more than 120 families. It has a dedicated friendly team of social workers who provide support throughout the adoption journey.

Families for Children has two upcoming information sessions where people can learn about becoming an adopter and how we can support you for life.

The next sessions are:

Thursday, November 9 - 10am - 12 noon - Dart Farm Village, Estuary Room, Topsham, Clyst St George, Exeter EX3 0QH

Thursday, December 14 - 6.30pm – 8.30pm - Families for Children,  Southgate Court, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0EE

If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact Families for Children on 01364 645480.

Alan Quick