Post adoption support

The legal framework provides for the effective provision of adoption support and sets out a comprehensive definition of the support adoption agencies must provide. This includes duties to provide an adoption support service, to undertake an assessment of need and to appoint an adoption support services advisor

Children who have joined families by adoption can have individual needs due to their experiences and you or your child/children may benefit from continued advice, guidance, and focussed support.

What kind of support is available?

We can provide advice and information regarding universal services such as local and national support/peer groups, adoption passport offers, and advice and advocacy regarding education.

We can also undertake an assessment of needs to make sure you have the skills, network and help you need to tackle the most difficult times and connecting you with the services that can most help you.

Our Adoption Support team can provide further information on services available such as:

advice and guidance from our experienced social workers over the phone or in-person
support groups where you can meet other adopters and your children can play
workshops and training on relevant topics
support for your child in school (every adopted school-aged child is eligible for pupil premium)
if you have an adopted young person aged 14 to 18 they may be interested in being a member of the teenager’s group - ConnecTeens
youth clubs for your child
post adoption contact – ‘staying in contact’ - a confidential service to facilitate the contact plan between adopter and birth families
the Adoption Support Fund – for eligible children and access to therapy

Post Adoption Assessment and Support Plans

All adoptive parents should have a support plan agreed upon before they adopt their child (provided for the match approval). The plan includes details of the support that has been identified and how this will be provided. This includes contact arrangements and any financial support that may be offered.

For the first three years after an adoption order is granted, support will be provided by the local authority or Regional Adoption Agency who placed your child with you. Following this, the responsibility transfers to the local authority or Regional Adoption Agency in which you live.

We will undertake an assessment of your adoption support needs and provide advice and guidance to access services or send you a draft adoption support plan with the offer of support. You can then make any representations regarding the offer within 10 days.

To request an assessment of your adoption support needs please call 0300 3008090 or email enquiries@adoptionconnects.co.uk.

Contact with birth family

Through the preparation to adopt training and beyond, our adoptive parents are advised and informed on how to maintain links with birth family members to support their developing identity.

In most circumstances, children who are adopted will continue to have contact with their birth family. We have a contact coordinator who can provide advice, guidance, and support to both adoptive and birth relatives in facilitating and considering any changes in contact.

Support Groups

There are local and national support groups that provide an excellent opportunity to develop your community and meet other adopters for peer support and parenting advice. These can be found via Adoption UK and New Family Social.

Training for parents post-approval

We offer an annual training programme in collaboration with Central Bedfordshire Council. Your worker can signpost you to relevant courses, webinars or blogs and/or you can join the mailing list to receive up to date information on what’s available. We also provide a suggested reading list to develop your parenting skills, understanding and knowledge of adoption-related issues.

The Adoption Support Fund

The government’s Adoption Support Fund can be used to fund specialist therapeutic support for your family.

Adoptive families, who need therapeutic support (determined following an assessment), can access the Adoption Support Fund via their Adoption Support pathway. The funding is designed to help you access specialist therapeutic services. There are many different forms of therapy that can support you and your child’s needs during your adoption journey. This support can help children process their previous experiences and build stronger relationships as a family.

The purpose of the ASF is to provide the following outcomes:

Improved relationships with friends, family members, teachers, and school staff
Improved engagement with learning
Improved emotional regulation and behaviour management
Improved confidence and ability to enjoy positive family life and social relationships

To find out more visit: www.adoptionsupportfund.co.uk

Support for LGBT+ adopters

Adoption Connects is a member of New Family Social, a national organisation that supports LGBT+ adopters. Once prospective adopters apply to be assessed, you can join New Family Social via their website.

Training/preparation

From the beginning of your adoption journey, we'll be assisting and preparing you to adopt. We will provide a standard training programme and guide you through each stage of the process to identify any training needs you may have.

We’ll make sure you have all the information you need to help you make decisions at each stage of the process.

This will help to develop your parenting ‘tool kit’ and your adoption support plan.

Preparation to Adopt course

The aim of the course is designed to prepare adopters for the journey ahead of them, to build on their knowledge and understanding of what adoption is, to decide if adoption is the right decision and to understand the experiences of children who require a permanent family by adoption.

The modules cover:

Understanding the process and information
Child development, attachment and loss, and the effects of trauma
Parenting with Playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy (PACE)
Identity and contact
Adoption support
Foster for Adoption
Training and Q&A for family and friends

Did you know that adoptive parents are entitled to paid adoption leave?

Many adopters are entitled to adoption leave and pay when their child is placed with them, through their employer. The law is changing to make this entitlement more like maternity and paternity leave pay and it will include the right to take time off when you’re meeting your child before they move in with you. You’ll find more about adoption pay/leave on the gov.uk website.

Support for adopted children in schools

Did you know that schools are asked to give all children who were previously looked after by the local authority, priority access to schools, which means that your child should be able to attend whichever school you think best meets their needs? Read more about this in the Department for Education's school admissions code.

At school, your child will be eligible for the Pupil Premium each year for state-funded schools to help meet an adoptive child’s needs. You need to let the school know that your child is adopted so that the school can claim the pupil premium. For more details visit: www.first4adoption.org.uk/adoption-support/education-support/pupil-premium.

Adopted children can also access advice and information from virtual schools They may also be eligible for Pupil Premium Plus (follow the links below for more information).