Watch this short film to find out how adoption has changed over the decades.

Adopt London North Support

Whatever your connection to adoption, we know the impact is lifelong. We know there are challenges for adopters, adopted children and adults and birth family members. The Adopt London North (ALN) team are here to support you.

Adopt London North Support

If you are an adoptive family living in any of the Adopt London North boroughs; Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey or Islington, or your child was adopted from any of these boroughs, please contact us and we can discuss the support available. You will be able to speak with a social worker who will assess your needs and signpost you to the right support.

We’ll contact you for more information to ensure we provide the best service and/or signpost you to the right support.

Scroll down to see the support available from Adopt London North.

Email: [email protected]    Call 020 7527 4777 (select Option Two)

Historic adoption records/intermediary: [email protected]

Letterbox: [email protected]

Support for adopted children

 

Children talking together

Therapeutic creative workshop

Would your child like to attend a therapeutic workshop for adopted young people? If they are currently in school years 7, 8 or 9 (as at September 2023), please contact the team to register your interest. Therapist Susanna Kester will facilitate a four-day session (actual dates to be confirmed) in a North London venue alongside an Adopt London North social worker. The workshop will be designed exclusively to the needs of young people who are adopted and will recognise the effects of trauma. To find out more, including the cost allocation from your child’s Adoption Support Fund (ASF) or privately funded application, please contact the duty team – details above.

Adoption booklets and guides for children and young people

Supporting children in understanding adoption is important, as are their feelings about being adopted. We’ve produced some information that can be shared with children.

Omar The Owl covers what it means to move to another family, the process of adoption and helping children acknowledge how they might be feeling.

We have also produced two adoption support booklets that explain the support available and who to contact if children want help in understanding their feelings around being adopted:

A Children’s Guide to Adoption Support – suitable for young primary school-aged children.

 

A Young Person’s Guide to Adoption Support for older children.

 

Support for adoptive families

As soon as your child comes to live with you, you’ll have access to a range of services and support from the ALN team, your local borough and the partners we work with. You can join organisations and meet other adoptive families, access specialists, education experts and a range of resources. Read our Adopt London North support booklet for more information.

Life story work – Monthly life story work sessions are available for you if you are parents wanting to expand your child’s Life Story Book, or talk to your child about their early life. Whether you are just starting or continuing work with your child, our monthly 1-2-1 sessions can help. Contact the team to find out more. The Life Story Work Advice line is a 20 minute telephone call with a dedicated social worker to discuss your child’s life story. You can book your one-to-one session anytime between 10-11am on selected dates. Please see the new Adopt London North Life Story advice line flyer for more information, including how to book your session.

You may find the Life Story Work Guide for adoptive parents useful in helping to discuss your child’s life story.

Adoption support fund – Some adopted children will have experienced early trauma, or need support in understanding their thoughts and feelings around adoption. The Adoption Support Fund (ASF) helps to financially enable families access to a variety of therapeutic support.  This can involve play therapy, art therapy, family therapy or talking therapy for example, with the goal of supporting adopted children to better understand themselves and improve their well-being and relationships.

Support from our partners – Adopt London North work with organisations who support adoptive families. These adoption-focused organisations may offer meet ups in person or online events, podcasts and resources to support your family.

Support for adopted adults

As an adopted adult, you may want to know more about your early life, the reasons you came into care or the circumstances around your adoption. We can support you with accessing your birth/adoption records and signpost you to organisations who specialise in tracing birth family members, counselling and trying to get in contact with birth family members, if that is what you want to do. There is a range of support available to you, from the Adopted Adults page on this website and from the ALN support team.

Adopted adults group – Are you an adopted adult? Would you like to meet other adopted adults? Why not come and join our friendly and welcoming group for adopted adults in north London. Read our Adopted adults group flyer to find out more, and how you can sign up.

Transracial Adult Adoptee Network (TAAN) is an independent network and support group for adult transracial adoptees. Co-founders Debbie and Fran have set up the group for regular meet-ups in North London. If you are a transracial adoptee and are aged 18 or over, you are welcome to attend. You will meet other adoptees, have an opportunity to share experiences or you can just listen in.

The next London group session date is Thursday 7 December 2023. Please email [email protected] to find out more and to book your place. If you’d like to join a TAAN group next year, please see the TAAN support group dates for 2024.

Support for birth families

Navigating the loss of a child to adoption can be challenging for many birth parents and birth relatives.  It is common for this process to evoke strong and complicated feelings.  Whether the local authority decided adoption was in your child’s best interest or you made an adoption plan yourself, ALN is here to support you through your journey.

Our experienced social workers can offer advice, help you with existing or new contact arrangements, help you to write letters for letterbox contact, or signpost you to organisations that offer a listening ear or short-term counselling services.  When your child becomes an adult, ALN also can help you to make contact with them and support you through the reunion process.

Advice and counselling for birth parents and birth relatives – If you would like to talk to someone about your adoption loss, access short-term counselling, get information about the adoption process, or connect with other birth parents, PAC-UK can help. If you are a birth parent who is involved in court proceedings and you are worried you may lose your child to adoption, you are entitled to advice and counselling.

PAC-UK runs an independent specialist service called First Family.  This is available to birth parents and birth relatives.  The First Family Service provides confidential conversations, can help you to access support groups, assist with writing letterbox letters, explain the process of adoption, or offer a listening ear.  The Family First Action Line can be reached at 07975 846 249.  You can text them or leave a message requesting a call back.  Alternatively, you can email them at [email protected].

PAC-UK also has a Private Intermediary Service Advice Line.  This can be used by birth relatives who want to connect with adopted adults.  If you would like to discuss your particular situation or get information about the costs, please call on 020 7284 5876 or email [email protected].

Additional support

 

 

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