County Durham has been chosen to pilot a new campaign that aims to find families for children in the area that are waiting to be adopted.
There are 220 children in the North-East that are waiting for a loving home.
The new campaign will encourage people in the North-East to consider adoption by bringing to life what it means to have children through stories of family life that reflect real adopters’ experiences.
The campaign – which is backed by the national adoption information service, First4Adoption – will run until the end of this week, with adverts featuring in local newspapers, online and on local radio.
Gemma Gordon-Johnson, Head of Service at First4Adoption, said: “We want this campaign to mark a new era in the recruitment of adopters.
“In recent years, there have been important improvements in the adoption system that has made it easier to place children with families as quickly as possible. But there is still more to be done.
“We need more people in the North-East and beyond to come forward and start their adoption story if the needs of all children, for who adoption is the best option, are going to be met.”
John Simmonds, Director for Policy Research and Development at British Association for adoption & Fostering (BAAF), said: “With more adopters needing to be recruited, especially for siblings, older and disabled children, these new resources will be a great asset to adoption agencies to help them find permanent and loving homes for these vulnerable children.”
If you are interested in adopting a child, visit first4adoption.org.uk or call 0300 222 0022.