Latest News

Adoption in Merseyside (AiM) recently commissioned After Adoption to deliver adoption support services across the region. 

Recognising the impact adoption has, After Adoption, with over 28 years’ experience of supporting to all parties affected by adoption, will offer a proactive and flexible service.

This will include support for adopted adults seeking to trace their birth families, including search services and counselling, and counselling for adopted adults seeking to access their records post adoption.

It will also provide information, advice and support for birth parents and birth relatives who have had their child adopted – helping them navigate the complexities of the adoption process through a combination of information and advice and face-to-face counselling. This approach aims to help them deal with grief and loss, explore their own life story as part of this, and negotiate and maintain appropriate levels of post adoption contact. For birth parents and relatives who want to reconnect with adopted children who have reached adulthood, there will also be the ability to access search and intermediary services.

Iain Moore, Head of Business Development at After Adoption, commented: “We are passionate about ensuring everyone affected by adoption can access the support they need, so are delighted to have won this contract. We are confident that our expertise in this area will ensure we deliver a high quality service and make a real difference.”

The full list of services to be offered on behalf of the Adoption in Merseyside includes:

• Support for adopted adults seeking to trace their birth families
• Information, advice and support for birth parents and birth relatives who have had their children adopted
• Counselling for those seeking intermediary services
• Counselling for those seeking to access their records post adoption
• An intermediary service for birth relatives
• Access to Letterbox to maintain contact agreements (delivered on behalf of Liverpool by After Adoption and internally for other local authorities).

The service will be available in the geographical area covered by the newly formed Adoption in Merseyside (AiM), a regional adoption agency covering Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton and Wirral.

Jenny Ness, Head of Service for AiM commented: “We are delighted that AiM will be working in partnership with After Adoption. This is a new contract covering the city region and will ensure adopted adult’s, birth parents and birth relatives will receive the advice and support needed with a prompt and empathic approach.”

To find out more or make a referral, call the After Adoption action line on 0800 056 8578 or email actionline@afteradoption.org.uk

Southport beach is temporarily closed to vehicles due to poor ground conditions.

This year, the combination of wet weather and estuary silt deposition has combined to create conditions where it is not currently safe to access and park within the normally defined area.

The beach is expected to reopen to vehicles for parking once drier conditions are in place and we will release details when this happens.

Residents and visitors are advised that there is alternative parking available locally and across Southport.

Sefton Council has agreed to enter into talks with Bliss Hotels regarding a short term operating agreement at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre (STCC).

The Council owned STCC is a crucial component to the borough’s visitor economy as the primary conference venue for Sefton. It is also the biggest theatre in the borough with a seated capacity of over 1,600 regularly attracting popular acts and bands.

It has operated for the last 18 years under a management agreement and lease by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG). This arrangement will end at the end of May 2018.

Sefton Council is committed to ensuring that the STCC has an ambitious future and is working with ATG to ensure a smooth transition to a new operator. Detailed negotiations have commenced with Bliss Hotels who now own & operate the entire Waterfront complex including The Ramada Plaza Hotel which adjoins and is connected to STCC.

Margaret Carney, Sefton Council’s Chief Executive, said: “The current operator has issued a notice to quit the venue leaving on May 31, and we are moving swiftly to get a new operator in place and ensure there is a seamless transition. We have ambitious plans for the STCC and I am confident that we have the right people around the table to deliver them.

“Bliss Hotels are as ambitious as the Council for the waterfront area and there are great synergies with the hotel operation. We are therefore in direct negotiations with them about this exciting proposal.

“STCC is great asset for the borough and a building that benefits visitors and residents in a key location in Southport.”

Daniel Broch, from Bliss Investment Partners, said: “We have big ambitions for both the Waterfront and Southport and we are invigorated by the energy and creativity we have encountered from Margaret and her team at Sefton.

“Together we are excited by the prospect of being able to integrate STCC fully into the new Waterfront destination for the first time ever and look forward to revealing plans for the entire site which aims to create Waterfront as a landmark local and national leisure destination.”