Northern Ireland


We provide support to adopters and prospective adopters in Northern Ireland through a dedicated office, based in Belfast. This page provides information on adoption and the kind of support we can provide for adopters in Northern Ireland.

We hold a number of Family events throughout the year to enable adoptive families to meet informally. 
Details posted in newsletters and circulated to members.

Upcoming events: 

Training: Parenting our Teens

Dates: Combination of short virtual & in-person training starting 30/09/2023

These training sessions will cover a variety of topics such as online life, maintaining connection with our teen, dealing with risk, consequences and contact as well, as reminding ourselves of the impact of developmental trauma and the importance of looking after ourselves in the midst of it all. In addition to the training, you will have the opportunity to meet with other adoptive parents who may be in a similar situation to yourself - the invaluable resource of peers, who get it! The training is delivered by adoptive parents of teenagers.

Considering Adopting Sibling

Date: November 2023

These sessions are funded by the Health & Social Care Board and free of charge to adopters.

Adoption: Ever thought about adopting siblings? Have you considered extending your current approval to more than one child? This 1 day training session is delivered by experienced adopters and will consider the benefits to siblings: brothers/sisters of sharing an adoptive family. The training will be of benefit to adopters, who have/ have nearly completed their adoption assessment and are open to considering a sibling placement.

Previous attendees have said:

“The entire course really got me thinking about siblings and whether we could adopt a sibling group. This gave us the confidence to make an informed decision.”

“We were able to talk to ‘real’ adopters – the truth, the good, bad and the in-between. Really invaluable.”

“The training really helped me to see the world through the eyes of a child and the enormity of the loss of a brother or sister. I realise that it can be easier to have both children together.”

Training: Parenting our Children

Dates: Combination of short virtual & in-person training starting 13/01/2024

Comprehensive training sessions introducing and implementing therapeutic parenting techniques for adopted children. These sessions examine the expectations and realities of parenting through adoption. The sessions are delivered by experienced adopters & will explore:
• The significance of adult & children’s attachment styles
• Consider what it means to be a therapeutic parent – parenting from the inside out
• How everyday interventions of parents have the power to transform a childs life
• Building our capacity to parent our children.

For further information please email [email protected]



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