LISTEN: Adoption figures in decline as new campaign is launched

By David Hunter

A new campaign has been launched to encourage more people in Northern Ireland to become adoptive parents.

Figures launched for 'adoption week' show around 3,000 children are in care here.

700 of them are under the age of five.

Several local trusts have seen a decline in the number of adoptive parents coming forward in recent years. 

Around 90 childrena re adopted in Northern Ireland every year with over one third of them needing to be placed with a Brother or Sister. 

The new 'Adoption changes lives' campaign will run until October 21st.

LISTEN: Frankie was adopted at the age of 14.

Marie Roulston from the Health and Social Care Board said:"This campaign is about celebrating adoption and sharing inspirational, real-life stories from local families."

"It's aimed at encouraging more people to think about becoming an adoptive parent and consider weather they can provide a forever home to a child, or children."

She continued: "There are lots of myths about who can and can't adopt children. You can adopt if you are 21 or over, weather you are single or in a couple, no matter what your sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background." 

"If you are interested I would encourage you to make the call and ask for an information pack to find out more about the process."