Bury’s adoption team wins national acclaim

The hard work and dedication of Bury Council’s adoption staff have been recognised at national level.

The team made the Top 3 in the British Association for Fostering and Adoption (BAAF) awards, which recognise outstanding contributions to adoption across the UK in the last 12 months.

The awards ceremony was on Tuesday (4 November) at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, and hosted by broadcaster and BAAF patron Nicky Campbell. Awards were presented by Edward Timpson MP, Minister for Children and Families.

Jean MacKenzie, adoption team manager in Bury, said: “I am proud that the achievements and hard work of the team have been recognised with this nomination. To be shortlisted for the Adoption Service of the Year award is a real honour.”

National Adoption Week runs from 3 to 9 November. This year, the national campaign is focusing on the importance of keeping brothers and sisters together where it is the right outcome for children in sibling groups who need to be adopted. Activities taking place across the country encouraging more people to come forward and consider becoming adoptive parents.

Councillor Paddy Heneghan, Bury Council’s spokesman for protection and family intervention, said:
“To be in the national top three is a fantastic achievement for the team in Bury, who have worked tirelessly to recruit more people as adoptive parents and give children a stable home. This year’s campaign is particularly important, as it’s so important to give brothers and sisters a home together instead of having to break them up.”

For more information fostering in Bury, call 0800 9555 311 or go to www.adoptfosterbury.org.uk

ENDS

Press release issued: 7 November 2014.

Picture: At the National Adoption Awards are (from left) Kath Leigh (assistant team manager, Bury
fostering team), Jean MacKenzie (team manager), Claire Brown (social worker), Nicky Campbell (awards presenter) and Alison Later (social worker).