MORE children will experience the benefits of a stable family life thanks to a new approach available in Bury which combines fostering with adoption for children in care.

New research shows that, nationally, 68 per cent of children who have gone on to be adopted through the “concurrent planning process” have lower rates of emotional and behavioural difficulties and none of the adoptive placements has broken down to date.

The concurrent planning process enables two-year-olds and under to be cared for by people already approved as both adopters and foster carers. If the courts agree to adoption as the best option for the child, the concurrent carers continue to care for the child as adoptive parents, minimising disruption to the child and protecting his or her attachments.

The search is now on for more couples and individuals from Bury to consider becoming concurrent carers, overseen by adoption agencies, Adoption Matters Northwest and Caritas Care.

They joined forces last year to launch Baby First Adoption.

Mike Hall, who leads the service, said: “Baby First puts the interests, long-term happiness and stability of children first at every stage.

“We are looking for carers able to care for children while plans for their future are decided, and who will go on to adopt them if that is best for the child.”

  • —Visit babyfirstadoption.org or call 0300 123 1050.