About us

Adopt South is the Regional Adoption Agency for Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, and Southampton councils. Formed through a pioneering partnership in 2019, we bring together deep knowledge, expertise and a wide range of resources across all our teams and services.

At the heart of everything we do, is a commitment to make a real difference to our babies and children who have a plan for adoption, to find the best families for them, in a timely manner, as well as providing compassion and support to adoptive families, adoptees and birth relatives.

We are proud of our work and recognise the immense social responsibility we carry to improve outcomes for everyone impacted by adoption, while continually modernising our approach and promoting a culture of positive change.

Our best practice and innovative approach means:

• Faster approval of adopters than any other adoption agency in England and Wales.
• We prioritise placing babies and children with our own adopters, nurturing stability, familiar support, and meaningful local connections.
• Recognition as one of the top five Early Permanence adoption agencies in the UK, placing children with our own adopters as a priority.
• Support from a large training team, Multi-Disciplinary Team, and an Adoption Support Team, each contributing distinct skills and expertise throughout the adoption journey.

• Cutting-edge training techniques, including Virtual Reality, training using therapeutic insights and practical skills to prepare adopters for parenthood.
• Our Family Finding Team matches more children swiftly and sensitively in house than any other Regional Adoption Agency.
• A dedicated Pre-order support team works closely with families to ensure new parents feel supported, while a child’s voice is heard as they settle into their new home.
• Adoptive Parent Mentors with lived experiences of adoption provide valuable insights and guidance to prospective adopters.
• Leading the way in modernising keeping in touch (contact), including digital Letter Swap.

Adoption support - built around the needs of families

We recognise adoption is a lifelong journey. Our Stage 2 Assessment and Support Team (pre-order) and Adoption Support Team (post-order) are here to support families at every stage, from preparation to parenting and beyond.

Before an Adoption Order, parents will have a dedicated social worker and team guiding them through assessment and helping prepare for when a child joins their family. This support continues after a child or siblings move in, with regular visits, practical advice, regular social opportunities and emotional guidance right up to the point an Adoption Order is granted.

Once an Adoption Order is in place, our Adoption Support Team offers ongoing help tailored to each family’s needs. Our Universal Offer includes:

• A dedicated Adoption Support Advice and Support line available to respond to families and young people’s needs.
• Learning workshops and guest speakers, including trauma informed specialists and Virtual School professionals.
• Practical guidance including therapeutic parenting techniques and signposting to additional services.
• Access to our Multi-Disciplinary Team specialists including clinical psychologists.
• Localised, ongoing support including in person direct work, learning sessions and social events for parents, families and young people aged 7+ years.
• A compassionate Keeping in Touch Team and Adopted Adults Team offering tailored support.
• Assessments carried out for therapy funding through the Adoption Support Fund (ASGSF).

Support, learning and social opportunities are always in reach, both online and locally delivered, ensuring adoptive families are never alone on their journey.

We also offer thoughtful and understanding services for adopted adults and birth families, recognising the lifelong impact of adoption. Whether it is support with contact arrangements, tracing birth relatives, or accessing therapeutic services, our team is here to help anyone affected by adoption to navigate their experiences with dignity and care. In addition, we have a dedicated steering group made up of people with lived experience of adoption. This group helps shape our services and ensures that our approach reflects the real needs and voices of those we support, guiding the work we do and the decisions we make.

Our success is reflected in national data, including insights from ASG Coram, which highlight our strong performance in placing children promptly and supporting families. We bring specialist expertise in working with sibling groups, children over three years old, and those with additional needs, ensuring every child is recognised, respected, and supported for who they are and what they need.

At Adopt South, we see adoption as a journey shaped by love, resilience, and growth. We walk alongside families every step of the way, because every child deserves to belong, and every family deserves support.

To learn more about our values and service standards, please read our Statement of Purpose.

Adoption enquiries: 0300 0300 011 or request a call back.

Adoption support team: 0300 0300 001 or request a call back.

Adopted Adults Team: 03707 795 000

See our Privacy Notices for information about how we collect and use personal information in order to provide adoption services.