Bradford Council's Adoption and Fostering department is launching its new website on Monday (November 7) to coincide with National Adoption Week.
The website (www.bradford.gov.uk/adoptionandfostering) goes on-line at the start of the week, which has been organised by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF).
The site contains comprehensive information on adoption and fostering as well as new information on the support services the Council provides for those whose lives are touched by adoption.
Bradford Council is also making access to information about the adoption service even easier by having all the information available in its One Stop Shops and Information Centres at Bradford (b direct), Manningham, Bingley, Shipley and Keighley.
National Adoption Week's aim is to find families for up to 4,000 children across the UK who are waiting to be adopted.
Last year 56 children were adopted through the Bradford Adoption Unit and there are over 50 children in Bradford looking for adoption this year.
Bradford Council's Head of Children Services for Social Services, Kath Tunstall, is calling on people who may have considered adoption to phone-up and find out more.
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 enquiries 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."
Chief Executive of BAAF, Felicity Collier, said: "Too many children and young people wait far too long for a permanent family. Many of these children have had a very difficult start to their lives, others have learning difficulties or health problems and it's even more crucial that loving and stable families are found for them.
"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.
"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."
Anyone interested in finding out more about adoption can call 01274 434331 or visit www.bradford.gov.uk/adoptionandfostering, or one of the Council's One Stop Shops and Information Centres.
Officer/Contact
Adoption and Fostering Unit
Telephone: 01274 434331
Media Relations Officer:
Sarah Bayliss
Telephone: 01274 433526
Fax: 01274 432005
Email: press.communications@bradford.gov.uk
