IT IS the time of year when everyone wants to be around their family.

But for almost 100 children in Hampshire they face a Christmas without a family to call their own.

Latest figures have revealed 95 children in the county are on waiting lists to be adopted, sparking a major campaign to try and find more parents willing to adopt.

In Southampton 53 youngsters are currently waiting for a permanent home whilst social workers at Hampshire County Council are currently trying to place 42 children with adoptive parents.

And today the Daily Echo is throwing its support behind the two councils to help get these children new loving homes.

According to both social services departments the need to find adoptive parents is greater than ever and as a result campaigns have been launched across the country to try and find suitable families.

Last year Southampton successfully placed 30 children with adoptive parents, an increase on the year from 2012 to 2013 when 28 children from the city were adopted.

The number of children being adopted in Hampshire is also growing with 78 children adopted last year compared to 76 in the year 2012 to 2013.

There is a legal requirement for children in care to be placed a certain distance away from their birth parents and due to the size of Southampton that means all children have to be found homes outside of the city’s boundaries.

As a result the authority has established a consortium of neighbouring councils where waiting lists are shared to match prospective adopters with children on each other’s waiting lists.

The consortium has recently arranged exchange evenings where children can be placed with adopters from other local authorities.

Social workers in Southampton predict they will need to find around 70 parents who are willing and able to adopt children from the city by the end of the financial year to March 2015.

Councillor Mark Chaloner, Cabinet Member for Safeguarding, said: “As we are a small local authority we need to place children outside of the city, so we actively encourage enquiries to come from areas surrounding Southampton. Currently we have more children in our care than we have homes to place them in, so we have a great need for more potential adopters to come forward.

“I encourage anyone considering adoption to come forward as we can help link them with the consortium partners who can match them with children on their waiting lists. We can then work with the consortium to find suitable placements outside of the city for our looked after children.”

That call for more adoptive parents was echoed by Councillor Keith Mans, executive lead member for children’s services for Hampshire County Council. He said: “There are a number of reasons why a child may become separated from their birth family. Some have experienced abuse, neglect, or come from troubled backgrounds, but they all have one thing in common – they need the opportunity to grow and flourish in a family home.

“We welcome enquiries from people from all sections of the community, regardless of age or background, who feel they are able to care for, nurture and support a child. Finding the right homes for Hampshire children, and supporting our adopters, is our priority – we consider all enquiries on an individual basis and are keen to hear from anyone who believes they have what it takes to adopt a child.”