Family Support Service

Whether you’ve just had a child placed and just want someone to talk to who understands, or you’re going through a difficult time, Adoption UK’s Family Support Service can help. For adopters with newly placed children, or for those later on who just want a bit of extra support, a Buddy can make all the difference, while for families who are struggling our Parent Consultation Service offers an enhanced level of support.

Adoption UK's Family Support Service is a two-tier service designed to provided targeted help, when you need it.

Adoption UK members can access the Family Support Service either through their agency (where the agency has a contract) or by referring themselves. To refer yourself, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.

Buddy Scheme

Our Buddies are all experienced adoptive parents who offer support, information and encouragement once a week by telephone or email. We have found that such support offers reassurance, validates experiences and feelings, increases self-esteem, builds confidence and reduces isolation.

“Without the help and encouragement from a friend who had adopted, I think I would have gone under and the placement would have disrupted.”

The scheme is an opportunity to share with your Buddy any concerns or issues that occur either in the early days of a placement, or later on when having extra support would make all the difference.

Buddies will talk it through with you, and can signpost you to other sources of help for support and information, both locally and nationally.

Buddies are:

Experienced adoptive parents from our national pool of Buddies.
Required to undertake a training programme that builds on their experience. This means they can offer you the support and guidance you will need in your role as adoptive parents.
Adopters with the skills and knowledge to encourage you and be someone in whom you can confide, as mutual trust and respect is vital to make the relationship work.
CRB checked, have had references taken up and have regular supervision.
Ready to help you right now!

How it works

At the time of your pre-placement meeting you will be given the opportunity to have an Adoption UK Buddy linked with you when your child is placed. Buddy Support is available for six weeks in the first instance, with the option to continue the support for an additional six weeks. After this period, support is still available, with the approval of your social worker.

Our Buddies are all experienced adoptive parents who offer support, information and encouragement by telephone or email. We have found that such support offers reassurance, validates experiences and feelings, increases self-esteem, builds confidence and reduces isolation.

Parent Consultation Service

Adoption UK’s Parent Consultation Service exists to provide hands-on support and advocacy to Adoption UK members.

If your family is struggling, you are going through disruption, you or your partner have been accused of abuse or you are having difficulties communicating with your agency, the Parent Consultation Service can help.

The service:

is 100% independent - you are our only concern
can give you access to a huge range of information, from attachment and early trauma to your adoption support entitlements and local services
will mediate between you and your agency if relations have become difficult
can assist you with legal issues, through the Adoption UK Legal Adviser
provides the chance to discuss your situation and receive emotional support from someone who understands and will not judge you.

Our Parent Consultants:

Are experienced adoptive parents
Have completed a 2 year Adoption and Attachment course run by Family Futures
Have continual extensive training in all aspects of adoption
Support families wherever they are in the adoption process and understand that each situation is unique to that family.
Will give another level of professional, independent direct support to the family.
Can provide up-to-date information and, where appropriate, direct access to Adoption UK’s legal consultant.
Can act as mediators between the family and agencies if relations have become difficult
Can support families going through a disruption or undergoing allegations of abuse, although we will make the families aware of our Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy.

How it works

To help you understand how the Parent Consultation Service can help, we have prepared three case studies (open in new windows):

Jenny and Frank - losing their agency's support

Jackie and Miranda - stopped during introductions

Janine - a difficult teenager

The initial consultation is for both parties to explore the issues and decide together whether Adoption UK can provide the support required. Once this is established, boundaries will be agreed about working together, and we can start providing you with advanced information and support.

To access the service, call the Support Team on 01295 752251 or download and complete the form below:

Family Support Service - self-referral form