We hope everyone is keeping safe and well at this difficult time.  Our priority to ensure that our children and families remain safe and are supported. 

Please be assured that we are working within UK, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales guidelines to continue to provide as many of our services as we can. However, this may mean that it is provided in a different way as services switch to staff working mainly through remote/home working.  

Below outlines how we plan to do this with everyone’s safety in mind. We will keep this page updated as and when we need to adapt things further. Please bear with us as this things may continue to change rapidly.

Should you need specific parenting or adoption advice, Adoption UK’s Wales helpline is open. You can call on 02920 230319 or email [email protected]. There is also advice, information and resources geared to supporting families during the Covid-19 situation here.

If you have any major health concerns regarding the Coronavirus, please also visit the NHS website.

Adoption services across Wales

Our regional and Voluntary Adoption Agency staff intend to continue to deliver as many services as possible, for as long as possible. Many offices are now closed to the public but staff are available via e-mail, telephone and in some situations video conferencing.  Face to face visits are only taking place in very urgent situations and these will be risk assessed, in terms of the staff, people and places visited, using the public health guidance.

Recruitment visits and assessments

Will switch to mainly video or telephone with staff keeping in touch and providing information as required.

Adoption Panels

Panels will focus on essential business and be carried out via video or conference calls. Adoptive parents and prospective adopters for the most part will be asked to join via video / telephone calls.

Adoption Register Wales

Use of the Adoption Register Wales will be unaffected but it may be that discussions with social workers may take a little longer than usual. Please bear with us as staff make the necessary adjustments. They will be in touch with you as soon as possible.

Matching and placement introductions

Matching children with adopters will continue via telephone, video calls and written reports. We won’t be able to commence any new introductions until further notice although planning to progress introductions from matches made will continue using telephone, video calls and written information.

Placing children

Nearly all children who were due to move have done so where this has been compatible with risk assessments and Public Health advice.  We are doing our very best to keep all those affected involved and updated.  New placements cannot occur currently as this would be contrary to advice on keeping everyone safe.

Visits to children and families

Families who urgently require visits, particularly for adoption support, are being prioritised according to need. Where it is necessary to visit, risk assessments will be undertaken. Where advice and or remote contact is appropriate, support will be offered that way.  

Preparation and other training for adopters

Preparation and other training has already been suspended. Plans are being put in place to continue to facilitate this via video conferencing or other facilities.

 

Whilst these are unusual times for everyone, we are still here for anyone about to start or are already on their adoption journey, via phone or email. Please call or email the region for your local area, or one of the Voluntary Adoption Agencies, if you are already connected to them with any questions.