Where to find support
The social workers in our support team are available to talk about any difficulties or issues you may be having and discuss what support could be helpful.
You can go to a local adoption office to meet with a social worker or we may be able to visit you at home if you prefer.
We will always speak to you as parents first, and in some cases, we will then speak with your child/ren (with your consent) to understand their wishes and feelings, which helps us to identify what support is needed.
All adopters are also entitled to:
- adoption pay and leave (as long as you are employed and earn on average at least £118 a week, before tax)
- a copy of your child’s permanence report
- a summary of your child’s health from Adopt South West’s medical adviser
- a ‘life-story’ book to help your child understand their early life
- to request an assessment of your child’s special educational needs.
Adoption passport
The adoption passport is a support guide for adoptive parents and you can use it to find out exactly what support is available for you and your child.
Children adopted from care can have ongoing needs, and you and your child may benefit from support. The Adoption Passport gives an overview the support adopters in England may be entitled to.
Children adopted from care can have ongoing needs and you and your child may benefit from post-adoption support.
If you have adopted a child in England you may also be entitled to these benefits:
- free early education for your child from the age of two
- choose which school best meets your child’s needs
- priority access to council housing
- discretionary housing payments while waiting for your child to be placed with you
- adoption leave and pay when your child is placed with you
- information about personal budgets for adoption support services
- Child Benefit (Gov.UK)
- Child Tax Credit (Gov.UK).
And
- You may get an allowance for disabled children (DLA) and the NHS after adoption information is helpful to refer to.
- There are travel concessions for disabled children, which can help with visits to clinics and outpatient appointments
- If you have working tax credits you may be entitled to free school dinners and milk.
And depending on your circumstances, there are reductions on council tax and utilities payments. The Money Advice Service information is helpful to refer to. - Was your child was awarded the Child Trust Fund at birth? If so, find out if you need to become the trustee.
Adoption Support Fund
The Adoption Support Fund provides funding to help adoptive parents pay for therapeutic services following adoption.
To access the Fund, you will need to have an assessment of your family’s adoption support needs. Contact us to request an assessment.
If the assessment identifies that therapeutic services would be beneficial to your family, your local authority will apply to the Fund on your behalf, who will then release funding to the local authority.
More information about eligibility and the type of support you can receive through the fund is available on the First 4 Adoption website.
Talk to us
Call 0345 155 1076 or email adoptsouthwestsupport@devon.gov.uk
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