THE children's minister has been visiting adopters and staff at a Bromsgrove adoption agency.

Edward Timpson, the minister for Children and Families, recently visited Adopters for Adoption - part of the Core Assets group - at Saxon Business Park in Hanbury Road.

The voluntary adoption agency was set up a year ago to have a positive impact on the way people are supported to become adoptive parents.

The agency is led by people who have first-hand experience of adoption and aims to improve the way adopters are recruited, prepared, assessed and supported.

The Government has also funded its adoption reform agenda in the past year.

Children and Families minister Edward Timpson, who grew up with two adopted brothers, said: “It’s great to see that the number of children being adopted is increasing, but there are many children still waiting for a stable loving home.

"However we refused to be complacent and we know there is more to be done.

"It’s great to see Adopters for Adoption using people with experience of adoption to encourage more people to provide much-needed homes for children and I’m excited to see how the scheme develops.”

Sally Melbourne, chief executive from Core Assets Children’s Services, who set up the new adoption agency said: "As the name suggests, our values and services are driven by people who have experience of the process and who are successful adopters.

"We are committed to making the experience positive and timely for prospective adopters and are committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for children placed. We are equally committed to providing effective adoption support to both the adoptive parents and their adopted children."

Adopters for Adoption is looking to recruit adopters across England. For more details visit adoptersforadoption.com.