Support

We support all those affected by adoption.

Adoption support is available if you live in Buckinghamshire and:

• You are adopted
• You have adopted a child from the UK or overseas
• You are a birth relative of an adopted child

We also offer a service to:

• Adopted adults and birth relatives where the adoption was arranged by us but who live outside of Buckinghamshire
• Adoptive parents and their children for the first three years of placement if the child originated in Buckinghamshire, regardless of where you now live.

If you are an adopted child, we offer:

• An opportunity to talk about worries or difficulties that bother you. These may be to do with your adoption or may be part of growing up
• Someone outside of your family to talk to, who can listen and understand.

If you have adopted a child, no matter how good a parent, you may sometimes benefit from additional support and guidance. We can:

• Support and advise you as your child grows up
• Advise you on contact with your child's birth relatives
• Help you to meet other adoptive parents
• Help you to talk to your child about contact with their birth family
• Undertake an assessment of your support needs.

If you are adopted, we can:

• Help you get information from your adoptive records
• Give you advice about tracing birth family members
• Help you to meet other adopted people
• Act as a link between you and your birth family
• Give you advice and support before or after a reunion

If you are a birth relative, we can:

• Give you confidential help and advice to cope with your loss
• Give you advice about contact with your child
• Give you advice if your child has traced you
• Give you advice and support before or after a reunion
• Help you to get information on a brother or sister who was adopted
• Invite you to groups.

Sources advice and information

The Post Adoption Centre website provides lots of information and guidance on post adoption issues.

If you do not live in the Buckinghamshire area, you can ring your local council Social Services and ask to speak to their Adoption Support Services Adviser, who can give you information about similar services in your area.