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Forthcoming Adoption Information Meetings are arranged for:

2010 -  June 22

Location:

Leeds City Council Offices, Merrion House, Merrion Way LS2 8QB

Time;  

All meetings, 7pm - 8.30pm. Arrival from 6.45pm, ground floor reception.  

For more details, contact (0113) 247 4747        ss.fostering.and.adoption@leeds.gov.uk

Consortium members in the Yorkshire and Humberside region are looking for people with experience of adoption to join their adoption panels. These people should have experience of adoption either in a personal capacity or have had involvement with Looked After Children in a caring or professional role

The Yorkshire Adoption Consortium is a group of 17 adoption agencies in the Yorkshire region, covering most areas of North, East, South & West Yorkshire, Humberside, North & North East Lincolnshire. These agencies co-operate to promote adoption and increase the opportunities for children to be placed within the region.

Adoption Panels are responsible for decision making in relation to the approval of adopters, confirmation of plans for children who need adoption and consideration of plans to place children with particular adopters. Each panel is made up of ten members who are social workers, councillors, doctors, foster carers and adopters. We also need other people who can bring personal or professional experience of adoption to join them on the panels. Panels have legal advisors and receive procedural advice from an experienced adoption manager. Adoption Panels have an independent chairperson who oversees the proceedings. Interested?

• You will need to have experience of adoption (as an adopted person, adopter or a birth relative) or be working as a professional who has experience of the issues in adoption.

• You will be at least 21

• You will need to agree to checks with the police and other references being taken up

• You will need to be available for one day each month to attend a panel and for one day each month to read the papers which are sent to all panel members in advance of the panel meeting

• You will need to make a commitment to attend more than 75% of the panels in each year and be willing to look at a commitment to a three year period as a panel member.

• You will need to be able to keep sensitive information safe and confidential

• You will need to be willing to be interviewed by representatives of the panel

We would particularly welcome expressions of interest from Black and Minority Ethnic adults, as they are currently under-represented on the panels. These are mainly voluntary positions but expenses are paid and you will receive training and, most importantly, the knowledge that you are helping to provide a valuable service to children and young people in your area.

A recently retired panel member said how much she has enjoyed the work she has done as a panel member:

"It has been demanding reading all the papers and hearing about the problems the children have experienced, but as a panel member you can help to make the important decisions"

If you are interested, please write and tell us a little about yourself then send it to:

Debbie Church, Consortium Co-ordinator, Unit 2 Milestone Court Business Park, Town Street, Stanningley, Leeds, LS28 6HE

If you would like more information, please ring 0113 2550918 and ask to speak to Debbie Church.

We will follow up on your enquiry by letting you know where there are panel vacancies and will pass on your details to the agency whose Panel you wish to be considered for.