Families considering adoption in Dorset are set to get an extra hand of support with the launch of a brand new regional agency.

Aspire Adoption has launched in a bid to improve the quality of adoption service available across Dorset, Poole and Bournemouth.

Working in partnership with Families for Children, a Dorchester-based voluntary adoption agency, it is one of the first regional adoption agencies to launch in the country. 

British athlete and adoptee Jamie Baulch led the launch and gave a talk about his own adoption journey.

He said: “I know only too well the importance of finding adoptive families for the many vulnerable children waiting in care and what it means to those children to find the love and support of a family of their own.

“When you get older you suddenly realise how important life is, how precious it is.”

Aspire aims to match children for adoption more quickly and support those who have adopted or care for children under Special Guardianship Orders.

It will also provide help and advice to others touched by adoption or special guardianship including adopted adults and birth relatives.

Heather Freeman, Aspire Adoption manager, says, “This is an exciting time for adoption and special guardianship in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.

We have teams of highly skilled social workers, support workers, clinical psychologists and education specialists across all three local authorities coming together to provide the very best services for the region.

“Our promise is to be with you step by step, from initial contact through to your child taking their first steps into adulthood.” 

The Department for Education (DfE) have helped fund the creation of Aspire Adoption, as part of a National Regional Adoption Agency Programme.

Cllr Steve Butler, cabinet member for safeguarding at Dorset County Council, said: “Aspire’s focus remains on finding permanent families for the many vulnerable children across the region but also in supporting those families and their children into early adulthood and beyond if needed.”

Aspire Adoption’s head offices are at the Kinson Hub in Bournemouth but services will be delivered across the region from council sites across the three areas.

Staff will offer services such as recruiting and assessing those considering adopting, matching and placing children with permanent families, assessing people considering special guardianship, and adoption and special guardianship support services.

They will also provide birth family support for those whose children have been adopted or made subject to Special Guardianship Orders, as well as hosting a range of social events, support groups and training.

Following the launch, it was announced that there are 35 vulnerable children waiting to be adopted in the region. For further information visit www.aspireadoption.co.uk, or call 0300 123 9868.