PEOPLE wanting to adopt a child will now be able to consult a map of local authorities with children in need of adotion.

Would-be adopters can read a new map showing the areas with the highest number of children waiting for new homes and make use of a new Government telephone information and advice service on 0300 222 0022 to help people navigate the process of adopting a child.

The map shows York and North Yorkshire have between 18 and 32 children on their adoption registers, with East Yorkshire having between 33 and 57 using the latest supplied figures from March last year.

Edward Timpson, Children and Families Minster, said: “We are providing potential adopters with the tools they need to find children who need adopting right across the country. Together the telephone ‘infoline’ and the new ‘Hotspots’ map will arm would-be adopters with the information they need to approach any local area.

“We know many potential adopters out there can provide children with loving, stable homes but simply don’t know where to start. These new tools will give many more people support in taking the first steps to adopting a child and giving them the chance to succeed in life.”

The map is at education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/families/adoption