Some children placed with our adoptive families have complex and continuing needs arising from their earlier, sometimes damaging experiences. The effects of loss, separation, abuse and neglect are not always resolved by living with an adoptive families so we aim to provide a range of support and advice. Our Post Adoption Service has been rated "Outstanding" by Ofsted and provides a comprehensive range of support for Leeds adopters and their children.
Support services for Leeds approved adopters and their children
We recognise some adoptive parents and their children will need to receive ongoing support or assistance at specific times. Our adoption support services include:
- an established adoption support staff team who offer a range of advice and support to adoptive families, including the 'Home and Away' short breaks service; advice on contact arrangements with birth families; help with children's educational needs
- a twice yearly newsletter to help Leeds adopters keep in touch with the range of support and advice on offer
- a regular support group for adoptive parents
- a social event for new adoptive families
- Training and workshops on a range of issues, eg: attachment, parenting strategies, contact, education issues
- established links with the child adolescent mental health service
- helping adopted children with life story work
- putting adopted young people in touch with each other and other support organisations
- links with After Adoption Yorkshire, a Leeds based, regional post adoption service and with Barnardo's Futures (sometimes assisting with supported lodgings for young people age 16+)
- In conjunction with After Adoption, the 'Safebase' therapeutic parenting resources programme,providing assistance to adoptive families on a range of issues including attachment, child development and child behaviour
Services for birth families
At present we can offer assessment for adoption support and services for those birth families whose children are planned to be or are placed for adoption including:
- advice and counselling
- contact arrangements
- intermediary services for birth parents in some instances
- the provision of an independent advice service via our links with After Adoption Yorkshire
Services for adopted adults
We can offer assessment for those adopted adults who wish to have advice and information about their birth origins. We may also be able to offer:
- assistance for adopted adults undertaking a limited search for birth relatives
- an intermediary service for adopted adults wishing to contact a birth relative and advice and involvement in facilitating direct contact with a birth relative
Contact details
For more information on our adoption support services please contact:
The Adoption Support Team
3rd Floor West,
Merrion House, 110 Merrion Centre,
Leeds LS2 8QB
Tel: 0113 395 2072
Fax: 0113 247 8695