1 Overview
We offer all adopters:
- professional support from dedicated members of our team
- informal support gained through peer relationships at preparation groups
- signposting to other services, both national organisations and those in West Sussex.
In this way, you can develop a network of people who are going through similar experiences. However, this is not a mandatory part of the process and some applicants prefer not to do so.
Further support and advice can be found from the organisations below:
2 Adoption Support Service
Knowing you can talk to someone about your queries and concerns as an adoptive parent is of vital importance to you and your family. Our Adoption Support Service is available to provide advice and guidance to adopters and their families, as well as adopted people and birth families who have had children adopted.
3 For approved adopters and their families, including adopted children
We can provide access to:
- specialist advice
- contact with other adopters
- direct access and referrals to therapeutic and specialist services
- management of face-to-face contact with birth family members
- support groups.
4 Financial support
Financial support may be available for some adoptive parents. This helps them to meet the ongoing financial demands of adoption which are determined by the needs of the child. This will be looked at during the assessment, and then reviewed annually.
Adoption Support Fund
The Fund was established in 2015 to enable adoptive families to access funding to pay for specific therapeutic support.
To find out more about eligibility and how to access the Adoption Support Fund, visit the First 4 Adoption website or contact the County Adoption Team.