Adopt London East Support

Support for Adoptive Families

Our ethos, ‘asking for support is a strength’ means that we positively welcome requests for support. We work closely with adoptive families to identify the best support for them at their point of need at whatever age or stage and encouraging positive bonds between parents and children.

The adoption support team provides a short term intervention in the form of assessment/advice or signposting. One outcome of an assessment could be an application to the Adoption Support Fund for therapy. At Adopt London East we have a designated Adoption Support Coordinator who is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the therapy.

Adopt London East’s social workers are all adoption experienced and trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches and have specialist skills and experience of working with adopted children and their families.

Our support services include:

• Experienced and professional adoption staff who can offer support and advice.
• A designated Advice line is available every Tuesday morning from 09:30-13:00. You will be able to talk to an adoption social worker about any aspect of post-adoption support. Phone: 01708 434844. Read our Adopt London East support advice line leaflet for more information.
• Havering Virtual School and Adoption Support Advice Line for adoptive families living in Havering only is available alternating Tuesdays between 9 -10am during term time. You will be able to book a meeting with the Virtual School and an adoption support social worker about any concerns you may have about your child’s education. Phone: 01708 434844. Read our virtual school leaflet for more information.
• Adoption support needs assessments, with time limited support plans which may include a period of social work or therapeutic support.
• Application to the Adoption Support Fund (ASF) for therapeutic services for children and adoptive parents.
• Regular events allowing adopted children and their families to meet each other.
• Support groups and training events for adoptive parents.
• Support group for adopted tweens/teens
• Advice and support to children and families struggling with issues such as behavioural difficulties, child to parent violence, gang involvement, mental health difficulties, substance misuse, etc.
• Liaising with other professionals including education, health, social services etc. to provide adoption advice or to coordinate support when there are lots of professionals involved with a family.

Advice and counselling for adoptive parents

Adopt London East works in partnership with PAC-UK. Their service is independent and confidential with families benefiting from free advice and counselling sessions related to parenting issues.

Their Advice Line is staffed by qualified and experienced PAC-UK counsellors who can provide advice and information on all aspects of adoption. For enquiries, please call the Advice Line – Tel 020 7284 5879 (Monday, Tuesday & Friday 10.00am-4.00pm and Wednesday & Thursday 2.00pm-7.30pm).

PAC-UK also host an Education Advice Line providing the opportunity to speak to a member of PAC-UK’s Education Service about any issues with meeting the educational needs of your child. The London Education Advice Line is open each Thursday during school term times between 12pm and 2pm.

Please contact PAC-UK directly Thursdays 12.00pm–2.00pm (during school term times only).

London Education Advice Line: Tel 020 7284 5879

Email [email protected]

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.

We have produced 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.

Adopt London East Adoption Support Team and Family Connections Service – Adoption support for adopted young adults 18 -25 years leaflet.

Support for Birth Relatives

The Adoption Support Team can provide advice for birth relatives who want to try and establish contact with adopted relatives over the age of 18.

Advice and counselling for 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. London office Advice Line: Tel 020 7284 5879 (Monday, Tuesday & Friday 10.00am-4.00pm, Wednesday & Thursday 2.00pm-7.30pm).

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 an Intermediary Service Advice Line.  This can be used by birth relatives who want to connect with adopted adults. Please note that there is a cost for this service.  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 and Events

View our core offer of additional support and events for 2023/4.