Health and wellbeing

Adopt South are here to provide help and advice for families related to their children’s health and wellbeing

Adopted children may face unique challenges due to their early life experiences and/or have a cognitive or a physical diagnosis which could impact their daily lives. Our aim is to provide you with the support and help you might need for your child.

We can provide support which could be related to:

  • Wellbeing for parents and children
  • Social opportunities with other adopted children/families
  • Behaviours that challenge
  • Mental health
  • Neurodevelopmental conditions
  • Cognitive or learning difficulties
  • Physical disability

Adopt South’s Multi-Disciplinary Team have created a range of Mental Health and Wellbeing information sheets which includes therapy overviews and a selection of wellbeing suggestions designed to support parents and young people. Topics include:

  • Anxiety and worries
  • Cognitive therapies
  • Introduction to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS)
  • Low mood or depression
  • Non-Violent Resistance training
  • Play therapies
  • Therapeutic life story work

Family Information and Services Hub (FISH) is a single place to find local family support across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton - including health and wellbeing, SEND guidance, childcare, and community services.

How to contact us

Families at any stage of adoption, whether before or after the Adoption Order, can contact us for advice, guidance or support.

If you are in Stage 2 of the adoption process, your allocated social worker in the Stage 2 Assessment and Support Team is your main point of contact. They will guide you through your assessment, provide support, and information on workshops and events you can access.

If you are unsure who to speak to or need additional help, please email the Stage 2 Assessment and Support Team on [email protected] and one of the team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Please call our friendly Adoption Support Team’s Advice and Support Line on 0300 3000 001 or request a call back from a member of our team.

We are open Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm (closes at 4:30pm on Fridays). Please note we are closed on Bank Holidays.

Looking for support, advice or connection?

Our Catch Up Call is a chance to talk things through with someone who understands adoption.

Do you have questions, worries, or just need someone who understands adoption to talk things through with? Our annual Catch Up Call service is here for any parent who would like the chance to chat with one of our friendly, experienced team members.

You can use the call to share challenges, explore learning opportunities, get advice, and discover our social activities for adoptive families and young people aged 7+ years. Whether you need reassurance, practical tips, or simply want to feel more connected, speaking with us could make a real difference for you and your child.

To book a Catch Up Call, choose a day and time that works for you, whether this year or later. Complete our Catch Up Call form and we will send you all the details to book through Eventbrite on your web browser or in the app on a device.

Book a Catch Up Call

If you feel you and/or your child/ren are unsafe or you require urgent assistance, there are a number of actions you can take:

During office hours – Adoption Support Team’s Advice and Duty line on 0300 3000 001

If you need help or assistance outside of our office hours, you may wish to contact:

  • Children’s Services Multi‑Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) – out of hours
  • NHS 111 online - visit 111, available 24/7
  • Samaritans support line - dial 116 123 - available 24/7
  • Text-based crisis support for young people - text HANTS to 85258, available 24/7

For more information on crisis services and support, please visit Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

If you have an immediate safeguarding concern, please call 999 and ask for the appropriate emergency service.