Adopting change in the North East

North east based children’s charity and adoption agency DFW Adoption, based in Durham, is now part of Adoption Matters, who operate across the whole of the North in addition to Stoke, Stafford, Shropshire and parts of Wales.

On Monday 25 March the agency held an official launch of the merger in Durham and were joined by colleagues, staff, past and present, Revd Canon Stuart Bain, the Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham, the Rt. Rev. Julian Henderson the Bishop of Blackburn together with the Mayor of Durham and Chair of Durham County Council John Lethbridge with his wife, Lady Mayoress Sandra Lethbridge – all pictured above with Adoption Matters Chief Executive, Norman Goodwin, CBE and Chair of Trustees Carolyn Johnson.

Whilst originating from a Church of England background, the agency now operate independently of the church; however, it’s ethos and value base continues to inspire their work and they retain strong links with Dioceses across the country.

Adoption Matters Chief Executive, Norman Goodwin, CBE commented:

“DFW Adoption shares the same values & ethos as Adoption Matters and we are excited about expanding into the North East region to continue the tradition we have for excellent service, expertise and an environment our families and colleagues want to be a part of. Together with we will build on the excellent reputation that DFW Adoption has in the North East, using the resources of a combined and united organisation.

We are also delighted that The Rt. Rev. Paul Butler the Bishop of Durham, will now join The Rt. Rev. Julian Henderson the Bishop of Blackburn and The Rt. Rev. Dr. Peter Forster the Bishop of Chester as our charity Presidents”.

Adoption Matters placed 133 children with their forever families in the last 2 years through adoption and an additional 86 children through their Concurrent Planning Service.  The agency has been in operation for over 72 years, placing over 4,100 children in that time.  They, like DFW, have been rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted four times in a row.

Through their partnership service, The Centre for Adoption Support, they offer ongoing support to their families for as long as they need it.  The Centre also offers a wide variety of workshops, training and events for families, children and professionals.

As the agency is an independent not for profit charity, they work with local authority adoption teams across the whole of the UK, meaning they offer their families a wider ‘pool’ of children to consider for adoption.

For more information contact us on Freephone: 0300 123 1066 or email: info@adoptionmatters.org or download an adoption information pack here

Some members of the Durham Team at the event

*Photographs: Keith Blundy