CREWE’S MP has welcomed figures that show more children are being adopted from care facilities compared to a year ago.

770 children in the north west were placed in stable families during the last 12 months – up from 650 in the previous year.

In Cheshire East, 30 children were placed with new families compared to 25 in 2013.

Children and Families Minister, Edward Timpson, said: “It’s great to see that the number of children adopted from care in the north west. However we refuse to be complacent and we know there is more to be done.

“I’m all too aware that welcoming a vulnerable child into your home is a rewarding but challenging experience.

“That’s why we’re putting in more support than ever to ensure that families get a fighting chance including better support services focussed on the needs of the family.”

As a young boy, the minister had a unique insight into adoption and the care system because his parents, John and Alex Timpson, fostered over 90 children and formally adopted two.

The figures proceeded a major national conference, held at the Crewe Hall Hotel on October 6, on the issue of adoption, where Mr Timpson delivered the keynote speech.

Experts from the full spectrum of adoption services in England gathered at the event, hosted by Cheshire East Council.

Councillor Rachel Bailey, CEC’s Portfolio holder for safeguarding children and adults said:“In Cheshire East we are fortunate to have a small but highly successful and innovative adoption support team who together with partners in Four4adoption, provide much needed support to families often at crisis point as well as to the birth families and other relatives, assisting them to come to terms with adoption and to move forward.”

To find out more about fostering and adoption in Cheshire East, visit four4adoption.co.uk