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

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

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.”

This month's National Adoption Week 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.

Cllr 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.”

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

Each year in England, around 4,000 children, of different ages and from a variety of backgrounds, are waiting for loving adoptive families.

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