An adoption agency is working with others to find loving homes for children sooner.

Cumbria Adoption is working with other adoption agencies across the North East and Cumbria, encouraging people to foster first through the Early Permanence programme.

Early Permanence involves fostering a baby or child initially, with the possibility of going on to legally adopt them if that becomes their plan.

It removes the need for the child to be placed with a separate foster carer while they wait for the court to decide their plan, 'reducing disruption and uncertainty' for them.

Vicky Davidson Boyd, chair of the North East and Cumbria Early Permanence Project, said Early Permanence was much more 'child-centred'.

She said: "Early Permanence offers greater security for the babies and children involved and leads to less moving from one home to another in the care system.

"It allows for a child to be placed with their potential long-term carers at the earliest stage, so they can bond more quickly, with both the child and family being part of each other’s life experiences as soon as possible.

"It gives children stability at a sensitive time in their development and growth and helps them to develop a secure and loving attachment with their carers.

"It really is the best option."

There is an element of uncertainty with Early Permanence in that usually children are placed early, sometimes before all assessments of the birth family have been completed, and before the final care plan is known.

This means there is a chance that the courts may decide it’s best for the child to be placed within his or her birth family rather than being adopted.

However, last year, 54 children had Early Permanence families across the North East and Cumbria – a 44 per cent increase on the year before.

None of those children were reunified with their birth family.

Cumbria Adoption service manager, Ruth McHugh, said: "If you’re thinking about adoption, please get in touch with our team and find out more about Early Permanence.

"So many of our children have experienced difficult times, and lots of uncertainty, so by fostering them first, before possibly going on to adopt them, you can give them the love and stability they need.

"It takes some of the uncertainty away for the child.

"Cumbria Adoption needs adopters who are child-centred and can see all the rewards of Early Permanence, while being resilient to the uncertainty it entails.

"The good thing is, the adults manage the uncertainty so children can have stability.

"If you can offer a child a loving, stable home, and give them the time and understanding they need, you have the ability to totally change their life."

If you adopt through Cumbria Adoption, you will be 'supported all the way'.

Early Permanence carers will receive a fostering allowance during the initial period.

For those who are in employment, adoption leave and pay are also available once a child is placed for adoption.

Early Permanence carers will usually meet birth families whilst the court is deciding what happens next, giving them a greater understanding of the child’s birth family.

This enables adopters to 'strengthen the life story of their adopted child', giving the child a stronger sense of identity.

You can find out more by attending an upcoming online information event with Cumbria Adoption on Tuesday, October 22, at 6pm, and Saturday, November 10, at 10am.