A BRIEF BACKGROUND TO CATHOLIC CARE'S ADOPTION SERVICE
Catholic Care is a charitable organisation
working on behalf of the Diocese of Leeds. We offer a wide variety of services and
support, not only to the Catholic population, but also to people of any or no religion in
the wider community.
Our history of helping children started in
1863 when an orphanage for girls was opened at Richmond Hill, Leeds 9, to be followed by a
home for boys, in Claypit Lane, Leeds 2, in 1879 and a mother and baby home, in Leeds 2,
in 1911.
In this region we are the longest serving
voluntary child welfare organisation with continuity history, and experience of caring for
children that spans 135 years. During that time we have had several name changes, starting
as the Leeds Diocesan Protection and Rescue Society, changing to Leeds Diocesan Rescue,
Protection and Child Welfare Society in 1944, the Catholic Child Welfare Society in 1964.
In 1993 our name changed again to Catholic Care to take into account the development of
services for adults with learning disabilities, supported housing schemes for people with
a long-term mental illness, services for the elderly and school based social work.
In 1943 we registered as an Adoption
Society but we had been directly involved with placing children for adoption since 1926
when the first Adoption Act made it legally possible to adopt children. From the very
beginning, over a hundred years ago, we have been active in placing children in families
and supporting these families to look after children who are no longer able to live with
their families.
Whilst we are the longest serving adoption
agency in this region with a wealth of experience and knowledge we remain small and
approachable. Our adoption team consists of five people, with one member permanently based
in Sheffield to cover South Yorkshire and the other four in Leeds who cover West and North
Yorkshire.
The advantage of being small is that we
are flexible and in a position to respond quickly to people who are interested in
adoption. Our adoptive parents soon get to know not only the adoption workers but the
back-up administration staff too.
Many people take advantage of an initial
interview, which does not commit them to anything. It provides an opportunity to meet
informally with adoption workers to find out more about adoption. If you prefer to do this
then write on the reverse of our enquiry form: “I/We would like to meet with an
adoption worker before we make any decision about adoption”.
We look forward to hearing from you.
The Adoption Team