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       SEVEN BABIES TAKEN INTO CARE IN A WEEK
       By: Montraviatommygun Date: March 4, 2011, 4:36 pm
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       SEVEN BABIES TAKEN INTO CARE IN A WEEK
       BY GEMMA PEPLOW
       10:30 - 13 March 2008
       Seven newborn babies have been taken into care in just one week
       - the highest number ever seen by city adoption officers.
       Leicester Fostering and Adoption Centre bosses say they
       sometimes go several months without seeing any newborns, and
       cannot understand why so many were registered in such a short
       space of time.
       Some of the babies are still in hospital, while others are being
       looked after by temporary foster families.
       Today, adoption officer Paul Morley said the centre was
       struggling to find enough carers to come with the influx.
       He said: "It's very strange. Some weeks we have very few
       children and now we've had all these babies. It's very
       unpredictable, but at the moment we are struggling to meet the
       needs of babies in the city, which is unusual."
       Latest hospital figures show the number of babies born in the
       city has risen by almost 15 per cent in five years, from 9,118
       in 2002 to 10,451 in 2007.
       There are 106 youngsters, from newborns to the age of five,
       living with Leicester carers at the moment.
       The seven newborns were among 14 children taken into care during
       the last week of February.
       Some of those youngsters need to be adopted permanently, while
       others need temporary foster homes while a decision is made
       about their future.
       Mr Morley said: "The numbers are pretty similar to last year.
       "It varies so much so we can't say there is a definite reason
       for all these babies coming in. Last summer, we had four or five
       in very quickly, but seven has to be a record."
       City foster carer Liz has been looking after babies with her
       husband, Michael, for the past four years, and has been caring
       for six-month-old Emma - not her real name - since she was just
       four days old.
       The couple have two children of their own, but said they always
       wanted to help others.
       Liz, 34, said: "It's a really special feeling, especially with
       the newborns because you're taking on a new life.
       "It's difficult saying goodbye, but you know they are going on
       to a better life, whether that's with an adoption family or with
       their parents again. It's a happy ending for them and it's my
       job to look after them in the difficult period before that.
       "It's sad seeing them go, but then you think that there are
       loads more children out there to help as well."
       Michael, 48, said: "It's so rewarding. Just seeing them smile
       makes it all worthwhile."
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