Support for Adopters

Support Groups

Please come along and join us in our warm, friendly, informal evenings. It will give you the opportunity to meet up with other adopters and build up your support networks. In addition we will be having regular guest speakers to discuss various topics in adoption such as contact, theraplay, attachments etc.

The groups will take place every second Tuesday of the month, 7-8.30pm on the following dates:

  • Tuesday 14th November, 7-8.30pm
  • Tuesday 12th December, 7-8.30pm

These sessions will be virtual until we are able to host them face-to-face.

For more information, or to attend one of the events, please contact your social worker or call the duty line on 01902 553 818.

We look forward to meeting you.

Young People’s Group

We are passionate about providing adopted children and young people with a safe space where they can socialise with their peers, have fun, make new friends, and talk about things that are important to them.
For more information, including dates and times, visit our Young Adoptee Group page.

Children’s Guide to Adoption

Our children’s guides are designed to help adopted children understand adoption and what is happening on their journey in to their new family. They also help children understand what support is available to them, how Adoption@Heart fits in to their adoption journey, and where to go if they need more help or support.

Our children’s guides are available to download below:

Support for Adoptive Families

We recognise that it can be difficult to ask for help, if you think your family would benefit from more specific therapeutic support, please contact us rather than waiting for a crisis, via the duty phone number: 01902 553818 .

A referral for adoption support can be made by an adoptive parent/carer or a professional (consent must be obtained).

An assessment of support needs may be undertaken by a member of our Adoption Support team to identify what services would suit you best.

Adoption Support Fund

The government’s Adoption Support Fund (ASF) can be used to fund specialist therapeutic support for your family.

You will need an assessment of your support needs to access the Fund.

To request this please contact us via the duty phone number: 01902 553818 .

Education Support

Many adopted children can find school difficult. They may display complex behaviour due to the trauma they experienced at critical times in their development. Consequently, the new environment may make them feel threatened and unsafe and this disrupts their learning.

As such adopted children can benefit from a range of educational and funding support to help them reach their potential. This includes:

  • Priority access to schools as well as choose which school best meets your child’s needs. (More information on GOV.UK at school admissions and the school admissions code)
  • A request of an assessment of your child’s special educational needs from your local authority.
  • Free early education for your child from the age of two.
  • Early Years Pupil Premium – £300 of extra funding for every adopted 3 and 4 year old in early years education.
  • Pupil Premium Plus – £2300 of extra funding for state-funded schools to help meet each adopted child’s educational needs. Please note - PP+ for previously looked after children is allocated directly to and managed by the school and the onus is on the parent, carer or guardian of the child to make the school aware.

Virtual School Heads (VSH) have a duty to promote the educational achievement of all children looked after and previously looked after. They can provide advice.