Children are hoping to find families

About 50 Staffordshire youngsters hope Christmas will bring them something special this year – a new home.

The children are looking for adoptive families and Staffordshire County Council is hoping prospective parents will come forward over the next few weeks.

"For those children the best possible gift is the lifetime of love and support that comes with new parents who will care for and nurture them," said Sarah James of the Children and Lifelong Learning Directorate.

"The council, like many other local authorities, is always looking to welcome people who are thinking about adoption.

"Every child's situation is different and Staffordshire's adoptive parents benefit from a well established network of support and guidance," she added. She said that social workers and foster carers are on hand to offer support to the whole family throughout the adoption process and great care is taken to ensure the child and prospective parents are a good match.

A Stafford couple who have already adopted three times are supporting the appeal.

Identified only as Phil and Linda, they say: "If you give a loving and caring home to a child, plus lots of attention, then like us, your lives will be enriched forever."

And foster carers like Tracey from Cannock, who look after children while a permanent home is found, will be available to speak to potential adoptive parents.

Tracey has cared for more than 20 children and says she will help adoptors on any way she can to assist the child settle into its new home.

The majority of Staffordshire children looking for a new home are aged between two and eight-years, and many are brothers and sister who want to grow up together.

Pat Arthur, the county's adoption team manager, explains some children have medical conditions, disabilities or behavioural problems and some may have been neglected.

"What all our children are looking for is that unique family who can give them lots of extra time and lots of loving care and attention," she said. County Councillor Peter Berrisford, Staffordshire County Council's cabinet member for children and young people, added: "Research has shown that most children thrive and blossom when they are placed with a parent or parents, so whatever your background we want to hear from you."

The council will have Reggie the Recruitment Bus at Trentham Gardens on Tuesday November 11 and Tesco in Uttoxeter on Friday November 14, between 11am and 3pm on each day, when staff will be on hand for an informal chat.

Further information about helping with children is also available by telephoning 0800 169 2061.