Council steps up to raise awareness and encourage people to consider adoption

Monday 16 October marked the start of National Adoption Week with a series of exciting events, campaigns, content, and conversation planned.

Western Bay Adoption Service (WBAS) is kicking off the week celebrating its collaborative approach to securing the best possible futures for local children with cross-authority walks.

The walks which took place on Monday 16 October started at Porthcawl before moving onto Aberavon and finishing at Swansea Bay.

Throughout Wales agencies and staff work together to create best possible outcomes for families – this walk spanning the entire WBAS service area reflects and celebrates that joined up approach.

WBAS will also be arranging some awareness raising work with families in schools around adoption, exploring how one adopter and team member found her ex-employer, Swansea Council, really supportive during the life changing event of adoption, along with launching the ‘Life Journey Story Awards.’

Nationally, we will see the return of the Choose Family campaign which features adopters from across Wales exploring the current issues around themes such as contact, adopting children with more complex needs and reaching out for support.

There are many children and young people who through no fault of their own, are currently waiting for a permanent family.

These children often come from difficult circumstances, and as a local authority, we want these children to live settled, fulfilled lives in stable, loving homes.

This is why we want to support our regional adoption service to raise awareness, educate and encourage people to consider adoption and all that it entails.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Social Services and Health, Councillor Jane Gebbie

WBAS would like to thank everyone for their support during the week, including councillors, directors, heads of service, and council staff for joining them on their walks and local authorities for illuminating their buildings purple to help them celebrate!

For more information on adoption please visit www.westernbayadoption.org