Support After Adoption
Years ago, once an adoption order was granted the new family was largely left to ‘get on with’. But today things are different and local authorities and adoption agencies all recognise that adoptive families need support. We hope everything goes smoothly, but if it doesn’t you are not expected to cope on your own.
Ideally, you will continue to work with us at least for the first few years, so your child gets the best possible start in your family.
In the first place, any child you adopt is entitled to the same range of social services and other support, based on their need, as any other child. This could be, for example, special educational and medical services, as well as advice or counselling. We can help you identify the right services for you, and help put you in touch with them.
The government is strongly behind adoption for children who cannot live with their birth families. New standards say that says an assessment of need must be carried out if the adoptive family or the child asks it for. We agree that this is good practice and Durham County Council is aiming to do this for every family when they have been matched with a child. The resulting support can include practical, financial or emotional help. In certain circumstances you may be able to receive an adoption allowance, which is means-tested and depends on the needs of the child.
Your adopted child may not have had the best start in life.This can sometimes show in their behaviour which may become difficult to manage. Children and Young People's Services and education professionals are all available to help you and your child work through these periods.
As the adopted child grows up they may ask questions about their birth family and the reasons why they weren’t able to live with them. Adoptive parents can struggle to find the right answers, and the child may need more information than you are able to give. Remember, we are here to support you, whether that is helping you find the right words, or helping you provide more information for the child.
It depends on the child, but some adopted children continue to have contact with their birth family.This could be through letters and photographs or even a meeting between you all. We can conduct this contact, help you arrange it, or just be there to support you.
Sometimes the best form of support comes from other adoptive parents. We hold a family fun-day in the summer and a social evening in the winter for families who have adopted through Durham County Council, as well as other events from time to time. You don’t have to go but many of our adoptive families enjoy the events and find they make lasting friendships with other families in similar situations.
Our adoption team also includes a dedicated post Adoption Support Worker whose job it is to advise and help adoptive families after adoption has taken place. As well as offering this specialist support, Durham County Council pays for an independent adoption organisation, called After Adoption, to provide a free confidential counselling and support service. After Adoption’s contact details can be found on the reverse of this leaflet, along with other useful contacts.
Adoption is a lifetime commitment but you will not be on your own. We are here to give you all the help and support you need to make your new family a success.
