AS WE mark the launch of the National Adoption Service in Wales, we would like to encourage readers to consider opening their lives to children waiting to be adopted in Wales.

The National Adoption Service is a new model, the first of its kind in the UK. It will promote adoption, increase the pool of adopters and ensure good post-adoption support is available to those who need it.

The launch coincides with National Adoption Week. This year, the campaign emphasises the need for more people to come forward with an interest in adopting siblings. It is less likely for siblings to be placed for adoption than individual children.

There are 139 children on the Welsh Adoption Register needing to be placed. While some adopters referred to the register have been matched with children, we only have 22 adopters available for children, and none of them wish to adopt a sibling group of more than two.

Many people mistakenly believe that single, overweight, disabled, homosexual or unemployed people cannot adopt. This is incorrect. All prospective adopters undergo an assessment process. Many more people than currently come forward to adopt have the qualities to parent a child.

If you would like more information about adoption, please visit http://www.nascymru.co.uk.

Suzanne Griffiths

Director of Operations (designate)

National Adoption Service