Support for Adoptive Families If you have adopted a child or young person who is aged less than 18 years and you live in Southwark you can ask for adoption support.
Who is eligible for support?
- Adoptive parents living in Southwark and their children can apply for an adoption support needs assessment.
Details of eligibility
- Adoptive parents for all children placed by Southwark Council can ask for a needs assessment for up to three years after the adoption order was made
- If you adopted your child from an adoption agency or another local authority, you may apply as long as the adoption was more than three years ago
- If your child was placed through another adoption agency or local authority less than three years ago, you should approach that local authority for adoption support
- Birth relatives of adopted children and adults can also apply in relation to contact issues
- Families created through inter country adoption can also apply
Needs assessment
Any assessment of need follows the same standards and framework for all other 'Children in Need'. This is defined by central government, but is adapted to take into account the special circumstances of adopted children. Many requests for advice and support will not need a full assessment and can usually be dealt with quickly. More complex needs may take longer to assess.
We will fully involve and inform you throughout the process.
Support is available in a number of ways
Advice
- Phone or email advice
- Leaflets
- Twice yearly newsletter
- Referral to and information about a large number of agencies and organisations
Contacting between adoptive families and birth relatives
- Confidential letterbox system of indirect contact between adopted children and birth relatives
- Support to birth relatives and adopters involved in the letterbox system
- Assisting with direct contact with family members
Support
- Access to workshops
- Support groups for parents and for children aged 11 and over
- Annual adoption party
Financial, following needs assessment
- Advice on welfare and benefits
- One off or regular support payments for those identified as having specific needs
- We do not make retrospective payments for expenses already incurred by adopters
Contact
Adoption support service advisor
Tel: 020 7525 4420
catherine.grace@southwark.gov.uk
47b East Dulwich Road
London
SE22 9BZ |
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