Supporting Adoptive Families
The Adoption Support Team aims to support families living in our area as they navigate childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. We work with families with children and young people under 18 years to provide access to support when it is needed. We also provide training, a range of activities, and groups where you can meet other families and some of our workers.
If you cannot find what you are looking for on these pages, or you are experiencing some difficulties, and do not know what your next steps should be, you can contact the Adoption Support Helpdesk and speak to our team. We would like you to reach out for support as soon as you have any questions or concerns. If you feel as if your family is in crisis, then please contact us and we can advise about support from Adoption West, but also other services, including safeguarding services.
Adoption West will work with any families where there is an adopted child/ren placed by any of our six partner Local Authorities within the first three years of the adoption order. These six local authorities are Bristol, North Somerset, BATHNES, Wiltshire, South Gloucestershire, and Gloucestershire.
When an adopted child living in the Adoption West geographical boundary is placed by an out-of-area Local Authority, and it is more than three years after the Adoption Order is made, Adoption West becomes responsible for that child’s support needs.
Please follow the links on this page to explore different areas of support.
Peer-led Support for Adopters
ITAV is an organisation run by adopters for adopters offering support and connections for adoptive families and prospective adopters. Its purpose is to nurture peer-led communities that grow local adoption networks, enabling families to support each other.
ITAV’s primary aim is to support and empower adopters to establish local groups that meet the needs of adoptive families in their area. They are focussed on making strong connections to reduce isolation and improve mental well-being.
Membership is free and once your adopter status has been confirmed you will have access to all events and activities that on offer. If you are interested, please visit https://ittakesavillage.uk/.
Support for Adopted Adults
We understand that adoption has lifelong implications and at times individuals may need support and advice from professionals.
Being adopted may not always be easy and there might be things that you do not understand or would like help with. Follow this link to find out what support is available to adopted adults.
Support for Birth Families
Birth Links is a support service for adopted adults and for birth relatives affected by adoption. It aims to provide advice, support, information and guidance.
Birth Links understands that adoption has lifelong implications for all involved and at times individuals may need support and advice from professionals who understand adoption.
TESTIMONIALS
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Adopter Name
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