Early PATHways is a specialist Psychology-led therapeutic intervention incorporating clinical expertise alongside significant support from parent partners with lived experience.

It has been designed to support families identified at placement or early into their placement as requiring additional therapeutic parenting support. The programme helps parents create an environment for adopted children to thrive by teaching and guiding families into creating conditions for healthy development and family wellbeing.

 

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The Early PATHways Programme

Initial consultation

A 3-hour consultation with a psychologist or psychotherapist to look at the therapeutic needs of the children and family; an approach that is parent focussed and explores skills/ strategies/ techniques to help in the early stages of the adoption journey, followed by a report.

Therapeutic parenting group

A therapeutic parenting group taking place over the course of 10 fortnightly sessions, co facilitated by a psychologist or psychotherapist and a peer expert by experience. The Psycho-educational group will increase awareness of potential issues such as attachment, neurodevelopmental trauma, loss, identity and family dynamics. Sessions will introduce therapeutic parenting and provide tools and resources for parents to use. Families will have contact with the peer support partner outside of group sessions to provide support and consolidate learning within the group. An Adoption UK family membership (1 year membership) is provided free of charge to the families taking part.

Clinical Review at the end of the programme

A review of the programme with the family and updated report based on experience and knowledge learnt through the programme.

 

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Who is this service for?

Families identified at placement or early into their placement as requiring additional therapeutic parenting support.

 

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Referrals process and funding

All referrals need to be made through the local authority or adoption agency who undertook the initial adoption assessment or who are currently supporting the family in terms of post adoption support.

In England Early PATHways is generally funded by an application to the ASF (Adoption Support Fund).

In Scotland and Wales Early PATHways may be self-funded or funded by a local authority or adoption agency.

If you are a family interested in being referred to Early PATHways please speak with the relevant local authority or adoption agency. If you are a social worker interested in making a referral for a family please download and complete the referral form below and email to [email protected]

PATHways referral form (for completion by social worker)

 

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