Islington hailed as model of good adoption practice during PM's visit

The Prime Minister, David Cameron, visited Archway Children's Centre last Monday to find out more about how to improve rates of adoption nationally, and to take part in a roundtable discussion with national adoption experts. He praised the local borough's strong adoption record - 76% of Islington's children in care are adopted within 12 months, which is above the national average.

Eleanor Schooling, Director of Children's Services at Islington Council says, "Our priority is for each child to have a family for life and to offer a safe, loving and stable home to children who, for whatever reason, cannot stay with their birth parents. We work hard to make sure that every child in Islington gets an equal chance to succeed.

"The Prime Minister was particularly interested in how we work with UK children's charity Coram to place children with foster parents who will eventually go on to be the adoptive parents. This offers vital stability and continuity to children. Each adoption is something we are very proud of as we know this will give a child a really good second chance when often they have not had a good start in life."

Islington Council is keen to hear from any prospective adopters from all backgrounds, ethnic and cultural groups. The council provides training and support to prospective adopters, introductions to other adopters in similar situations, financial support, and continuing support once the child has been placed.

To mark National Adoption Week, the council is trying to find families for twin toddler girls and a boy of 4 with black British backgrounds, and there are more children needing adoption from all backgrounds.

For more information about adoption in Islington call 0800 073 3344 0800 073 3344.

Image: Islington Council