NATIONAL Adoption Week began on Monday, October 8, and Hertfordshire County Council is playing its part in encouraging people to consider adopting a child.

Last year the county council placed more than 60 children with new families and this week it will be focusing on finding loving homes for 30 more difficult to place children, such as brothers and sisters and those with disabilities.

A meeting will take place on Tuesday at Old Parkway School, Parkway, Welwyn Garden City, at 7pm to offer prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to talk to social workers and other parents.

There are around 5,000 children worldwide who are waiting to be adopted and many of these children are over four years old and so are more difficult to place with new parents.

Adoption team manager Marcelle Ibbetson said: "Hertfordshire County Council believes that every child has the right to be part of a safe and loving family."

More information about adoption in Hertfordshire is available on 01707 897654 and www.hertsdirect.org/adoption.

October 12, 2001 19:30

By Claire Ling