Minister officially opens National Adoption Week

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today officially opened National Adoption Week at a special event held at Hillsborough Castle.

National Adoption Week provides an opportunity for adopted children, adoptive parents and prospective adopters to celebrate the success and rewards of adoption in
Northern Ireland. The event also seeks to encourage eligible individuals and couples to consider making a life changing application to adopt.

Speaking at the ‘Adoption in the 21st Century’ event, the Minister said: “The best we can do for our children is to provide them with a happy, healthy and secure family life.

Adoption has a tremendous record for delivering stable, permanent new families for children and young people and provides the foundation on which they thrive, achieve, and develop confidence.

“It is extremely important to come together at events, like this one, to share information and best practice. I must congratulate all those adoptive parents who have provided the degree of permanence and stability which is essential for our children and young people.”

The Minister continued: “Adoption is undoubtedly a huge commitment and one which brings many challenges. However, it is important to remember that the rewards for adoptive parents are significant and that such a commendable undertaking will have an invaluable impact on the life of a child.”

The event was jointly sponsored by Adoption UK and the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF). The Minister met with adoptive families and the event finishedwith a fun party for the over 140 parents and adopted children.

Notes to editors:

1. National Adoption Week is a national concept with events running throughout the UK simultaneously. In Northern Ireland the venture has been organised by Adoption UK and The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) and will run from the 9 November 2009 – 15 November 2009.
2. Adoption UK and the British Association for Adoption and Fostering are both funded by DHSSPS.
3. Sixty-four children were adopted from care during the year ending 31 March 2008. Between 2006 and 2008, the percentage of looked after children adopted from care increased slightly from 2.2% to 2.7%.
4. In 2007/08, the average age of children adopted from care was 4 years 11 months. In 2008, 39 (61%) children were adopted by foster carers. The average age of children at adoption by foster carers was 6 years.
5. Adopting the Future, a consultation document on the reform of adoption legislation was issued in 2006. The Department recently held a consultation seeking views on current Vetting Requirements for Adoption, Fostering and Private Fostering. These consultations can be viewed on the DHSSPS website. Further information, about the DHSSPS Consultation process, can also be found on the DHSSPS website.
6. One million pounds has been allocated for adoption within the DHSSPS to develop services and build capacity.
7. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0571. Out of hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.