Nowadays, very few healthy white babies are given up for adoption. Like many adoption agencies, this unfortunately means that we will not consider applications from people who are only interested in adopting young white children with uncomplicated backgrounds.Most children who need adoptive families are separated from their birth families when they are older, because of parenting concerns.

 
Children of all ages need new families and many need a new family where they can live with one or more brothers or sisters. We work really hard to try to keep family groups together as far as possible - children who've already lost their birth parents need the stability of staying with their siblings.

 

All the children who need adoptive families in Essex have experienced losses. Some may have experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse. They may need more careful attention and skilled handling than other children their age. Some may be lagging behind in their development - physical, social, intellectual and emotional.

 
But adopters - and even some child care professionals - are often amazed at how they thrive once they move into a secure, loving family home. With professional help and support, adopted children can achieve normal standards of physical and emotional health, education and development.

 

Some of the children waiting for adoption have special needs such as physical or learning difficulties, or there may be uncertainty about their future development. Such children need adoptive parents with high levels of sensitivity and patience who can help them reach their full potential. People who have adopted for Essex often say that adopting a child with more problems requires more strength and commitment, but brings much more satisfaction and reward in the long run.

 

When you come to an information evening you will be able to see photographs and hear about some of the children currently waiting for adoptive families in Essex.

 

As you go through the adoption process, you will be kept informed of children waiting and receive the Essex Find Me A Family booklet every few months, which contains details of children waiting for families.

 

The following are typical examples of the children waiting for adoptive families in Essex:

Mark is a 4 year old boy who's been with his current foster carers for a year. Mischievous and affectionate, he needs almost constant supervision and encouragement because he is an anxious child who has little concept of danger. His speech, language and behaviour has improved since he was placed in foster care, but is still behind, and he is being monitored by a paediatrician. Mark needs a family who could offer him individual attention.

 

Malcolm, aged 5 and Maria, aged 2 are a half brother and sister from a mixed white British and black Caribbean/African background. Both are described as easy to care for and have settled very well in foster care. Malcolm has developmental delay and there is a history of mental ill health and drug abuse in the birth family. Malcolm and Maria have had a number of different carers.

 

Carolyn, 6, is a pretty girl with very curly hair and an engaging smile, She likes being read to, but does need extra help at school as she sometimes finds it hard to settle and concentrate on tasks. She needs one or two parents who can provide her with confident parenting and would benefit from being the only child in a family.

 

Charlie, 5, Sophie, 3, and Chelsea, 18 months are a brother and two sisters who need to live together. They have all made tremendous progress since coming into foster care. The children experienced physical abuse and neglect when living with their birth parents who both misused alcohol. They need active new parents who could cope energetically with this new family.