At Barnardo's we believe that every child has the right to grow up in a safe, secure and loving home. This especially applies to children who are taken into care because their parents are unable or unwilling to look after them.
We strongly believe it doesn't have to end how it began - no child is beyond help - and for some, adoption will be their best chance of a permanent, supportive and loving family life. I am very proud of our long and successful record of finding new families for children who cannot - for whatever reason - remain with their biological parents.
This week is National Adoption Week (3-9 November) and this year the focus is on finding new parents for groups of brothers and sisters.
According to research carried out by the British Association of Adoption and Fostering around half of the 6,000 children in the UK currently waiting to be adopted are in sibling groups. I believe, as far as possible, brothers and sisters should be kept together.
As a father of four children myself, I couldn't begin to imagine a circumstance in which they were wrenched apart. That's why today we are launching a new appeal to find new parents who are willing to adopt groups of siblings, keeping them together and creating the safe, secure and permanent home-life they so deserve.
We recognise that nowadays families come in all different shapes and sizes. That's why we are casting our net far and wide in order to get the best match to help turn around these children's difficult start in life so they can reach their full potential. We welcome enquiries from all irrespective of age, faith, sexuality, marital status or background.
People have different reasons for wanting to adopt. Some want to right a wrong and give a child a life they truly deserve. Others may have been unable to have children biologically, or their own children have grown up and moved home. Others simply want to make a difference.
We always say that adoption is a two way street. Clearly it is life changing for the children but it is also a life-enriching experience for the adoptive families.
Becoming a parent can be a daunting prospect for anyone - but at Barnardo's we walk side by side with our adopters for as long as they want or need us. We pride ourselves on the quality of preparation, training and ongoing support we give adoptive families to help them adjust to a ready-made family.
So if you think adoption could be for you, all we ask is for you to contact us at www.barnardos.org.uk/WhyAdopt