MORE than a dozen households made their first inquiries this week into adopting or fostering some of Cumbria's most vulnerable children.

Four weeks ago the Gazette launched a campaign to find permanent homes for children.

'You Could Be Their Someone' worked alongside Cumbria County Council to encourage prospective adopters to attend informal drop-in events at Kendal Fire Station and Ulverston's Coronation Hall.

Eleven households visited the Kendal event and three in Ulverston.

"It was a bit wet and wild on Monday for Ulverston but it was still great to see the people who came and talked to us," said Andy Jones, a Carlisle-based adoption support worker at the county council.

"Some of those are going to go ahead as potential foster carers and adopters which is fantastic. We find adopting and fostering is something people think about for a long time and high-profile campaigns is what motivates them to come forward so anything that gets the message out about the need for carers is very much beneficial.

"Some people say to us we have thought about it for a long time and wanted to wait until the time is right. Then they see or read something and that just prompts them to make the first steps and get in touch."

With children over the age of three waiting on average six months longer to find families, there is no better time to consider adoption with around 70 on the waiting list.

"Adoptive families need to be people who have got the time and space in their lives to look after children and put that child at the centre of their family life," added Andy. "We encourage people from all circumstance and living arrangements to come forward because it is about what they have got to offer the children at the end of the day.

"We look at circumstances and lifestyle to make sure there are no issues which would rule people out to begin with.

"We will then give them the information they need to make sure now is the right time to be doing it before inviting them to preparation training which sets them up for their role and gives them the skills and knowledge going forward.

"Then we have to begin our thorough assessment. That is where the comprehensive bit of work we have to do to starts to ensure they are OK to foster or adopt. It is a thorough process but it has got to be because it is about safeguarding some of the most vulnerable children in our society."

Visit www.cumbria.gov.uk/adoption or call 01539 713312 to find out more.