FIVE local authorities, including Cheshire West and Chester Council, are merging their adoption service.

CWAC, along with Halton, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan councils, are offering children and families support through new organisation Together for Adoption.

The aim of the service is to increase the number of adoptions and improve the experience for adopters.

Cllr Nicole Meardon, CWAC cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Ensuring that vulnerable children and young people feel safe is one of the council’s key priorities.

“Our outstanding adoption service is looking forward to working with our partners across the region and will continue to build on the good practice already achieved in our area.

“This is an exciting new period for the adoption service in west Cheshire.”

Those going through the adoption process will continue to work with the same team throughout the move to ensure a smooth transition.

The move follows government proposals that adoption services should be run on a regional basis by 2020.

Bryan Glover, from Together for Adoption, said: “The organisation will be there to help families throughout their adoption journey.

“We cannot wait to start helping them get the best future for all.”

Together for Adoption will launch on Friday, September 1.