Adoption 'must be made easy for everyone'

Together for adoption brings together the adoption services of five local authorities – Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan.

And last Friday Together for adoption officially launched with a grand opening of its new base in Warrington.

It will build on the outstanding adoption services in Wigan borough as judged by Ofsted earlier this year.

Current figures show there are around 30 children in the area covered by Together for adoption waiting to be adopted and the service will be looking to find families for around 140 children a year.

Speaking after opening with staff and partners from across the region, Bryan Glover, Head of Service for Together for adoption, said: "Together for adoption is bringing together outstanding expertise from across the region under one roof and we have talented and dedicated staff and partner organisations who will continue to offer the outstanding service people who have adopted have experienced.

"We will be looking to build on these strengths to giving everyone who is interested in adopting, or has successfully adopted, the right support throughout their journey.

"We know this has been highly valued by adopters and we will continue to offer that professional compassionate and thorough care to ensure children and adopters have the best possible outcomes.

"It is a really rewarding job, particularly when we hear from families years down the line who have had their lives transformed, for the better, through adoption."