Preparation course
Every prospective adopter must attend the preparation course which usually takes place over three full days. If you are applying as a couple both of you must attend. This enables you to look at issues in adoption with other potential adopters, and talk about anything which may be concerning you. It also gives you the opportunity to decide if you are ready for the challenges of adoption.
We hold our preparation courses twice a year. Some of the issues that are covered are:
- Identity and attachment
- The impact of difficult early life experiences on children
- Behaviour management
- Contact issues
- Explaining adoption
- You will hear from adoptees, adopters and others involved in adoption
Support for approved adopters
Your support networks - family, friends, community and religious groups are all important. In addition you can also rely on training and support from us.
Once you are approved you are allocated a social worker who will support you through the matching process and continue to support you once you have a child placed. You will also be invited to the adoption support group and training opportunities with other adopters and foster carers, and hear from professionals in the adoption field.
Adoption support
All children placed for adoption and adoptive families have their needs assessed for adoption support. South Gloucestershire has an adoption support social worker whom you can contact after the Adoption Order is made. South Gloucestershire offers a range of adoption support services. These include:
- A support group
- Training
- Financial support
- Liaison with other agencies
- South Gloucestershire paying approved adopters' subscription to Adoption UK for a period of 5 years
- Adopters can receive services from voluntary adoption support agencies such as the South West Adoption Network (SWAN) and Our Place
National organisations
You can also contact the following national organisations for information and support.
Adoption UK
Manor Farm
Appletree Road
Chipping Warden
Banbury
OX17 1LH
Tel: 01295 660121
Helpline: 0870 7700 450 (11am - 4pm)
British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF)
Saffron House
6-10 Kirby Street
London
EC1N 8TS
Tel: 020 7421 2600