Leading children’s charity and voluntary adoption agency Coram is extending its adoption services and would like to hear from prospective adopters living up to 35 miles south of central London, including north Surrey and north west Kent.
The picture on the right illustrates the new area covered by Coram Adoption South London indicated in blue, the previous area covered by Coram Adoption London is indicated in green.
Those considering adoption living in the area can now find out more about the adoption process and making the first steps toward providing a permanent, loving home for a child in care.
New areas covered include: Dartford, Gravesend, Orpington, Swanley, New Addington, Biggin Hill, Otford, West Kingsdown, Hartley, Sevenoaks, Westerham, Oxted, Godstone, Caterham, Purley, Reigate, Epsom, Ewell, Esher, Leatherhead, Cobham, Byfleet, Weybridge, Chertsey, Thorpe Park, Staines, Molesey and Windsor
A national shortage in adopters has contributed to over 4,600 children in the care system awaiting a permanent adoptive family. For these children, adoption has been decided the best plan for their long term future care, but they are yet to be found a forever family.
Government figures suggest that over 600 additional adopters are needed annually to keep up with the growing number of children awaiting a permanent home.
Coram has 40 years experience in adoption and has an established adoptive service based in Central London. The agency received an Ofsted rated of Outstanding at its last inspection in 2012.
Marilyn and her husband adopted a baby boy and his three-year-old sister through Coram in 2005:
“Coram’s attitude was always ‘you will be great parents’ which was wonderful.
“We built up quite a relationship with our social worker who we saw throughout our adoption. She listened to our questions and was very realistic about what we could expect.
“The match that she suggested was obviously an excellent one, as we are a very happy family nearly ten years down the line!
“We returned to Coram for parenting support for our daughter, who had experienced a lot of disruption in her early years and took longer to settle. The groups help you understand what your child might be feeling and how to help them build up trust in you.
“We’re incredibly proud of our children and adopting them was the best decision we ever made.”
Coram’s experienced social workers support prospective adopters and preparation sessions give those at the start of the process a chance to build support networks and meet previous adopters who share their experiences.
The charity also provides life-long post-adoption support to adopters and adopted children, offering advice and guidance to families into the future, and has one of highest adoption placement success rates in the country.
Coram Head of Adoption, Jeanne Kaniuk, encourages those considering adoption to contact them on 020 7520 0383:
“Coram believes that all children have the potential to thrive in the right home.
“Thousands of looked-after children are waiting for a forever family today, and there has never been a greater need for adopters to come forward.
“There is no upper age limit for adopters, and we welcome applications from those who are single or married, heterosexual or homosexual, and those from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
“What counts is your ability to focus on the needs of children who’ve had a difficult start in life and making a commitment to provide them with love and care.”
The Government’s Adoption Reform programme has prioritised adoption, urging Local Authorities to improve timescales for children in care. Revised adoption guidance published earlier this year encouraged councils to work with Voluntary Adoption Agencies in recruiting adoptive parents.
The Consortium of Voluntary Adoption Agencies (CVAA), of which Coram is a member, is implementing a national growth strategy to tackle the backlog of children in care awaiting adoption, including supporting Coram’s to prepare and support more adoptive parents.
Director of CVAA, Chris Smith is welcoming the development in Coram’s services:
“This is a crucial move towards helping ensure that children needing adoption are found the secure and loving family they deserve.
“Coram has ably demonstrated the voluntary sector’s willingness to embrace innovation, to work in partnership with the statutory sector, and to focus on ensuring the services are provided to meet the needs of children and families who deserve nothing but the best.
“This is a tangible step forwards which shows the sector’s commitment to growth.”
Prospective enquirers can contact Coram on 020 7520 0383.
Coram has adoption bases in London, Cambridgeshire and the East Midlands, as well as local authority partnerships in Harrow, Cambridgeshire, Redbridge and Kent.
Coram also works closely with many other local authorities to improve adoption services and reduce the time that children spend in care and is on the Government’s Implementation Group for new adoption legislation
Coram was recently recognised as a National Centre for Early Permanency by the Government who have encouraged Local Authorities and charities to work together.
Useful Links
Coram Adoption Coram Centre for Early Permanence