The chance of a new family for 18 Gloucestershire children has moved a step closer following an appeal in The Gloucester Citizen.

Gloucestershire Social Services has been looking for people who are willing to provide a permanent loving home for children aged over five and groups of brothers and sisters.

And following the article in the paper they received nine enquiries.

The families will now go through a process as they decide if adoption is really for them - and the department decides if they are suitable adopters. It's hoped at least some of them will go on to be adoptive parents.

Cabinet portfolio holder for social inclusion and care, Maureen Rutter said: "Thank you very much to The Citizen and its readers. It's great news that we've had all these enquires.

"There is currently 18 children in Gloucestershire, most of them over five, waiting for an adoptive family.

"It's so important that they get matched with the right families and these enquires could be just what we need to get these children placed in stable, loving homes.

The nine families who came forward will first be sent some written information about adoption and invited to an information evening about the children available.

They will then be visited by an adoption worker and, if they decide to continue, will attend a preparation course.
Finally they will have individual assessment.

This includes taking up personal references, a medical, checks with the police, probation, health and social services and individual discussions with an adoption worker.

The process culminates with a report, which the family sees, going to the adoption panel. The family is then invited to go along to the adoption panel, which then decides whether or not they should be approved as adopters.

Adoption provides a permanent loving home for children who cannot live with their birth parents, giving them stability and security after an often difficult start in life.

If you think you could offer a home to a child please contact us and we'll put you in contact with the relevant local authority.