A new adoption agency for the North East is one of three organisations in the country that has been created after securing a grant provided from the government with the aim to reform the adoption system.
ARC Adoption North East has moved into the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) after the government strengthened its support for the voluntary sector to address the national shortage of adopters.
The government decided to offer the opportunity for new voluntary adoption agencies to be developed through the provision of start-up grants. With over 25 years of experience within the adoption sector, Terry Fitzpatrick, decided to place a bid with the government for one of these grants and was successful.
There were 6,000 looked after children in March 2013 who needed an adoptive placement. It is estimated that a further 3,100 adoptive families than were approved at that time are required to meet this demand. Terry said:
“Although this is a brand new adoption agency, the team assembled have over 150 years’ experience, between them, of delivering outstanding adoption services
“A number of us formerly worked for South Tyneside Council’s adoption service for many years and we are now being given the opportunity to both support and compliment the work undertaken by all local authorities through increasing the pool of adopters available for the children who require adoption.
“We were the only successful bidders in the Northern region as the other two successful bids came from organisations in the midlands and Cambridgeshire. It all happened very quickly and before we knew it we were looking for offices.
“The BIC seemed ideal for us; we needed somewhere which could offer access to training and conference facilities as well as having a self-contained office. Not only this, the BIC’s structure of support also appealed to us.
“We feel very privileged to be given this opportunity to make a difference for children and we can guarantee that any prospective adopter wishing to work with ARC Adoption will feel valued, respected and above all supported as they take the journey towards creating a new family.
“Anyone who is thinking about adopting or has any questions on what is entailed in adoption please don’t hesitate to call us on 0191 516 6466. Or email info@arcadoptionne.org.uk.”
Donna Surtees, space adviser added: “The BIC is home to a variety of businesses of all shapes and sizes and it is with great pleasure we welcome ARC Adoption here. They do such a vital job and I wish them every success.”
