A new £10,000 support package is being offered to encourage more families to consider adoption.
The scheme aims to help families in the North East give children a permanent home, in response to a shortage of adoptive families nationally and in the region.
Nik Flavell, project chair of the North East Secure Start pilot, said: "At the heart of this pilot are North East children who are waiting—often far too long—for the stability and love of a permanent family.
"The Secure Start Package is designed to remove some of the financial barriers that can delay people in our region from coming forward, so more children can be welcomed into safe, nurturing homes as quickly as possible and begin to settle, build attachments and thrive."
Currently, around 200 children in the North East are waiting for an adoptive family.
The £10,000 grant is intended to offset the initial costs of adoption, including preparing the home, buying essentials, and taking unpaid leave from work.
To qualify, applicants must live in the North East, have less than £1,000 in monthly disposable income after bills, hold savings below £2,500, and have limited or no paid adoption leave.
Applicants must enquire with participating agencies by July 31:
- Adopt Coast to Coast adoptcoasttocoast.org.uk
- Adopt North East adoptnortheast.org.uk
- Adoption Tees Valley adoptionteesvalley.org.uk
- ARC Adoption North East arcadoptionne.org.uk
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