The Church of Ireland's adoption agency is appealing to more people to provide loving homes for children who lack permanent homes.

As National Adoption Week 2008 gets underway on Monday, Adoption Routes is looking for people who could give permanent, loving homes to children with a range of needs.

Adoption Routes said it was particularly keen to hear from potential adopters who may already have children of their own or who have professional or voluntary work experience with children.

Adoption Routes' Ian Slaine said, "What we really need are people who can offer a child a loving and supportive family for life, people who can help a child with a range of complex needs, who can help them go on to thrive in a new family.

"Initially, we are simply asking people to come forward and find out more about adoption and how 'Adoption Routes' can help."

National Adoption Week is organised by the British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) and aims to raise awareness of adoption and encourage potential parents to come forward.

There are an estimated 4,000 children across the UK needing adoption every year, many of whom will have suffered trauma in their short lives.

Frances Nicholson, BAAF Northern Ireland Director, said, "While we are making progress in Northern Ireland in the field of adoption, sadly, some children are still waiting too long for permanent and loving families."