This is a text-only version of an article first published on Wednesday, 15 June 2016. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
FIFTY families from Oxfordshire have applied to adopt through Parents And Children Together ( PACT) in the 12 months since the charity opened a new office in the county.
PACT opened its base in Watlington Road, Cowley, in order to find more permanent, loving families for children in care.
TV presenter and PACT adopter Saira Khan officially opened the office in July 2013. PACT also has office locations in Reading, two in London and will soon be opening a fifth office in Brighton Since the opening, 183 families have enquired about adoption, 23 have been through the process to the point of being approved to adopt and 19 children have been placed with 15 families in the county.
The charity has had links with the Oxford Diocese since it was founded in 1911. PACT's Adoption and Fostering Team Manager for Oxford Simon Furlong said: "Its been a busy but very successful first year for the new PACT Oxford office.
We have had a lot of couples and single people from the county and beyond coming forward and its wonderful to support them on their journey to becoming a forever family for a child in care. "Any families considering adoption are invited to attend an information event at PACT's Oxford office on Tuesday 9 th September from 7pm-8. 30pm. PACT supports vulnerable families through outstanding adoption services, permanent fostering, award-winning therapeutic support and community projects in London and the south east. PACT's adoption services were judged as "outstanding" by Ofsted in January 2014 and its therapeutic services FACTS were voted "Voluntary Adoption Service of the Year" in the BAAF National Adoption Week Awards 2013.