Social workers turned matchmakers at a unique event aimed at bringing together children who need families with prospective adoptive parents.

More than 100 people were invited by Essex County Council to County Hall, Chelmsford to hear about the children in the county who need adoptive families.

There has been a dramatic increase in the number of such children, which is up by nearly 15 per cent over a year. More than 60 Essex children were placed for adoption last year.

Most of those attending the event were approved adoptive parents who have not yet had a child placed with them. They were able to see pictures and profiles of the children, find out more about them from social workers and even see and hear them talk about themselves on video.

Many people who have been approved as adopters feel they would like to offer a home to a baby or a young child, but children who need new families are often older and may need to be placed with their brothers and sisters.

Two Essex couples who have adopted groups of brothers and sisters spoke about their experiences and both stressed the importance of finding children and parents who mesh together as a family.

One parent who has adopted two boys of seven and four said: "They are intelligent, bright, lovely children. Somehow the social workers do get it right. They could have been born to us."

County adoption manager Tony Sharp said: "There is a mismatch between the children needing families and the children people wish to adopt.

"We wanted to tell those people approved as adopters why they have not yet had a child matched with them and also give them the opportunity to find out more about the children who are waiting for new families."

Essex County Council's executive board member for health and social services, Cllr Elizabeth Dines, added: "It is most important that we find families for these children and I welcome the steps which have been taken."

Anyone interested in finding out more about adoption should call Family Finders on 01245 351567.

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