Most people take being part of a family for granted. Children grumble about their dad's smelly socks or mum's cooking and parents moan about their son's or daughter's untidy rooms.But, for many, these small annoyances would be a blessing.

When Jacqueline and Andrew Hill discovered they would not be able to have children naturally, their lives were turned upside down. Mrs Hill had developed endometriosism, which caused cysts in her womb and meant she had to have a hysterectomy.

At first, the couple did not consider adoption as an option, but a few months later they thought they might find out more about it - and they have not looked back since.

Now, as Mrs Hill (30) walks down her street with two-year-old Gareth, it is hard to believe he is not her birth son. She said: "Whenever people see us together they always say how much he looks like me. It's remarkable really. People have no idea he was adopted."

Gareth, not his real name, was one of hundreds of babies who have been found homes by Derby City Council. But there are hundreds of children like him who still need homes and parents to love them.

The aim of last weeks National Adoption Week, which was organised by the British Agencies for Fostering and Adoption, is to help find homes for them. There are currently 410 children in care in the Derby area. Of these, 58 are looking for permanent adoptive homes and 30 for long-term foster care.

In the rest of Derbyshire, there are 40 children who need permanent homes and 22 parents eager to adopt. In Staffordshire, there are 27 children looking for parents.

Most children are adopted by people who live in neighbouring counties to ensure they are not brought up too close to where their birth parents live. Mr and Mrs Hill took Gareth into their Leicestershire home at the end of last year when he was just 18 months. But many of the children who need homes are much older.

Foster carer Phyl Davies, of Hunter Street, Burton, adopted her son, James (12), after he had been in her care for six years. James has severe learning difficulties after a childhood fall left him with brain damage. James is the second child to have been adopted by Mrs Davies. In 1975 she adopted Carl, who is now 30 years old. She also provides respite care for nine-year-old Robert.

She said: "I knew after about six months that I wanted James to stay with me.
"I felt the same way about Carl - I don't know why, but we just clicked.
"I was always up front with Carl about his adoption and when he decided to find his birth parents, I supported him.

"It is something you can't hide - 99 per cent of children who are adopted will want to find their parents and who can blame them?
"Carl has always told me that although I am not his natural mother, I will always be his mum."

Anne Peace, of Coton in the Elms, near Swadlincote, was adopted when she was six weeks old. She is now aged in her 50s. Her natural mother's circumstances made it impossible for her to keep her.
She said: "My adoptive parents couldn't have been better. I had a wonderful childhood.
"I think adopters need a lot of patience.
"Some children have had a traumatic start in life.
"They may need time to settle down. But every child deserves a chance.
"Adoption is a wonderful thing.

"It can give children the kind of life they would never otherwise have had."
She added: "If people don't think they would be up to adopting a child, I would urge them to give themselves a chance.
"And if they are worried about telling a child that it is adopted, I would say to them that to know that you were special and that you were chosen can be a very bonding thing."

Local authorities across the country are keen to dispel the myths surrounding adoption about who can apply to be assessed as a prospective adoptive parent. Although people who apply to become parents must be over 21, there is no upper age limit.

Single people as well as couples can apply and it does not matter if you already have children of your own. Couples or individuals can come from all walks of life and do not even have to own their own home.

Derbyshire County Council member Anne Western, cabinet member for health and social care, said: "Prospective adopters can come from all backgrounds and cultures, but must be able to offer all the love and care that a child needs.

"Adopting a child is not easy and prospective parents will have to undergo all the usual stringent precautions and checks, but it can be incredibly rewarding and creates families that are together for life."

Anyone wanting to adopt will initially have to fill out an application form. From there, health and police checks are carried out to establish their suitability to offer a child a secure home. If their application is accepted, they will be required to attend preparation sessions, after which a social worker will visit their home.

The final stage will see the prospective adopters considered by an adoption panel - made up of social workers, psychologists and other members of social services. If the panel decides they will make good parents, the task of finding the couple a suitable child will begin. The entire process can take up to a year, but Mrs Hill says it is well worth it.

She said: "I remember when we got the call telling us our application had been successful.
"I can't describe how it felt. It must be the same feeling as when you find out your pregnant - sheer joy.
"It had been such a long process, but as soon as we got that call we knew we had done the right thing.
"The first time we were able to take Gareth home was absolutely amazing.
"Beforehand I was worried I wouldn't know what to do because I'd never had my own child but it was fine and my instinct just took over.
"Within just two days he was calling us mummy and daddy.
"We've never looked back. We're a proper family now and we're thinking of adopting again."

Information on the children who are searching for homes can be found at www.adoption-net.co.uk under 'Childrens Profiles'.
If you live in Derby and are interested in adoption or fostering you can call the city council on Derby 718000.
People living outside the city boundary can call Danielle Bedford at Derbyshire County Council on 01629 585772.
Adoption Options, which is run by Staffordshire County Council, can be contacted on 01283 563715.