This week is National Adoption Week and Derbyshire County Council is urging more people to think about offering a permanent home to a youngster.

During the week - 14 to 18 October - the authority is keen to dispel the myths surrounding adoption and the people who can apply to be assessed as prospective adoptive parents.

There is no upper age limit although people who apply must be over the age of 21. The most important thing is to be in good health and have the energy to care for a child.

Couples and individuals, with or without their own children, can come from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, although they do not need to be working or own their own home.

Derbyshire County Council's social services department is currently trying to find permanent homes for 40 children - including 24 children over the age of three and two groups of three siblings - and has 19 suitable parents waiting to adopt.

The authority is particularly keen to hear from people wanting to give a loving, stable home to older children and groups of brothers and sisters.

Councillor Anne Western, the council's cabinet member for health and social care, said:
"Prospective adopters can come from all backgrounds and cultures and must be able to offer all the love and care that a child needs.
"Adopting a child is not easy, and prospective adopters will have to under go all the usual stringent precautions and checks, but it can be incredibly rewarding and creates families that are together for life."

The authority's adoption team offers help to anyone affected by adoption including birth parents, adoptive parents and their families, adopted children and young people awaiting adoption.

An information evening is being staged at County Hall, Matlock, on Wednesday 16 October for people who have already expressed an interest in adopting.

When someone expresses an interest in adopting they will receive a home visit from a social worker to establish their reasons for wanting to adopt. They will also be given more information about the process.

If they wish to proceed they are asked to fill in an application form. At this point health and police checks will be carried out to establish their suitability to offer a home to a child.

If their application is accepted they will then be asked to attend 'preparation sessions' and they will under go an assessment. After the assessment, another social worker will carry out a home visit to offer a 'second opinion' on the application.

If the prospective adoptive parents pass all these stages their case will be considered by an adoption panel, which includes independent members. The panel will decide whether or not they are suitable to adopt. Once this is complete, the process of 'matching' them with a suitable child will begin.

The process can take anything up to a year, depending on individual circumstances. National Adoption Week is organised by the British Agencies for Adoption and Fostering.

For more information about adopting contact the county council's Central Adoption Team on 01629 585772.