Adoption Support
Giving help and support to adoptive families parenting traumatised children is at the heart of all of Adoption UK’s work. Through a Helpline, Online Community, giving access to information, and helping you build links with other adoptive families, both in your area and elsewhere in the UK, we have a comprehensive range of support services to offer our adoptive parents.
Adoption UK Helplines
Adoption UK has four dedicated Helplines to support adopters and prospective adopters wherever you are in the UK.
To speak to an Adoption UK Helpline Adviser dial 0844 848 7900 or send your enquiry using the form on the Contact the helpline page.
Calls cost up to 5p per minute from a landline and up to £1.50 per minute from mobiles. Charges from landlines reflect the minimum costs associated with running the helplines.
Online Community Message Boards
Comprehensive information about the world of adoption, articles and features on a huge range of adoption issues.
Search our e-Library for articles on anything from autism to claiming tax credits, take some time out with our popular competitions, and find help and support 24 hours a day on our hugely successful Message Boards.
Visit the message boards today
Local Support Groups
Run by a team of Volunteer Coordinators, support groups are located across the UK. Groups are friendly and welcoming, open to all Adoption UK members, whether you adopted ten years ago, or are in the process now.
Each group is unique, offering opportunities to meet, share support and build friendships with other adopters in your area, through events such as evening discussion meetings, coffee mornings, social events and family fun days.
Family Support Service
From a simple question to more in-depth support needs, wherever you are in the adoption journey our Family Support Service is accessible to everyone. Parenthood can be hard for anyone – the journey, whilst enriching and rewarding, can be challenging. Our Family Support Buddies can make all the difference, providing you with support during the early stages of placement. If things are really tough, our Family Support Consultants can help you explore your sitation and help you make sense of your child’s behaviour whilst supporting your family. Whatever support is required, we will talk to you and help you find the right levle of support for your family.
Lending Library
Adoption UK’s mixed media library contains more than 900 books, videos, tapes and therapeutic games covering a range of adoption and fostering issues. These can all be lent free of charge (excluding postal charges) to Adoption UK members. Browse the Online Catalogue now...
Family Days
We understand how important it is for adoptive families to be able to meet with other adopters to share experiences and reach out to each other for support and guidance. Our family days bring adoptive families together, providing children with a day of fun and learning.
Publications
Our bimonthly magazine includes current information and news, book reviews, letters and articles about real life experiences of adoption, and the latest ideas from parents and the conference circuit.
The latest word on therapeutic parenting, Adoption Now and Adoption Now 2 contain invaluable articles on all aspects of adoption, including practical strategies from parents and therapists.
Other publications include Oh Brother! to help adopters with birth children explain adoption to their children; and Adoption Law for Adopters.
Training
Adoption UK runs a range of workshops including Contact, School and Education issues and Parenting Adopted Teenagers, all run by experienced adoptive parents.
Our acclaimed 'It’s A Piece of Cake parent support programmes offers a fresh approach to parenting hurt children and allows parents to explore their own expectations and share new and creative parenting strategies.
Ofsted surveys
As a registered Adoption Support Agency, we have been asked by Ofsted to make the following surveys available to all our users in order for them to give feedback on our services:
- Survey for adoptive parents or prospective adopters
- Adults (people 18 years or over) receiving services from an adoption support agency
- Commissioners and local authority social workers