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News

Strengthening Adoption Services in Poole

Poole Social Services Committee is receiving a report on 26th November 1999 which sets out Poole’s response to new national guidelines for Adoption Services.

At local and national level, there is a complete commitment that those children in public care who despite all help cannot live with their own natural family are best served by the security and stability of adoptive families. The new national guidelines and Poole’s local initiatives aim to ensure that children can be placed at the earliest possible stage with adoptive families.

In addition, the intention is to encourage a broad range of families to come forward to adopt to ensure that people who have the potential to bring up children are not barred from adopting because of unjustified restrictions on the grounds of race, culture and health.

Adoptive parents receive a range of support services, including in some circumstances financial support to provide care for children who have complex needs. Children placed for adoption will generally have experienced difficulties in their upbringing, often including abuse or neglect. Many of these children have special needs and a relatively high percentage have a disability or particular health need.

Cllr Jane James, Chair of Social Services Committee said,
‘We wholeheartedly welcome the national guidelines’ emphasis on the importance of family life for children. Poole has placed great emphasis on its adoption service since becoming a Unitary Authority and works with three other South Coast Social Services in order to ensure children in all four authorities can live with adoptive families. It is important that Poole residents who wish to care for children in need, can find out about fostering and adoption, and put themselves forward easily to be considered as adoptive parents.’

Anyone wishing to find out about the rewards and challenges of fostering and adopting children who are in care to Social Services, can ring Poole Fostering & Adoption Service
on 01202 261501.