Chance to learn more about adoption at event in Uckfield

Anybody interested in adoption is invited to a drop-in event at Uckfield Civic Centre tomorrow between 11am and 2pm.

It is being organised by East Sussex County Council's adoption team as part of National Adoption Week.

Information and advice will be available and there will be the chance to chat to adoptive parents about their experiences.

Each year the council places around 40 children, who cannot live with their birth families for a variety of reasons, with adoptive parents.

The children range in age from babies to about eight years old but there is a particular need at the moment for adoptive parents for children aged between two and eight.

There is also a need for brothers and sisters within this age range to be adopted together.

Cllr Colin Belsey, the council's lead member for children and families said: "Adoptive parents have many different reasons for wanting to adopt a child. They come from all kinds of different backgrounds.

"If there's anyone considering adoption or just wanting to know more about it, we'd love the chance to speak with them."

Cllr Belsey said the adotpion service was highly regarded and the county was good at finding the right families for children.

"It is a thorough process but, of course, it has to be. And the feedback we have from people that go through it is very positive."

More information about adoption can be found on the county council's website, by calling 01323 747154 or by emailing adoption@eastsussex.gov.uk.

For those interested in providing shorter-term care to children and young people the council's fostering service has an ongoing need for foster carers.