Post-order support

Adoption support services for families with post-order adopted children

Adoption Support Team

We understand every adoptive family is unique, and that children and young people may face different challenges at different times. When you reach out to our friendly and supportive Adoption Support Team, we will take the time to listen to you, so we can offer the most appropriate support for you and your family.

Our Adoption Support Team is passionate about caring for families and young people. We will always take a holistic approach, working with you to find solutions which will truly benefit you, your child and your family life.

Every family is different, and we are here to help you as much as we can.

Through our conversations with you, we will explore the best support options together. This might include direct help from our team, therapeutic parenting support, workshops, or a meet-up with one of our caring Adoptive Parent Mentors. We may also recommend specialist practitioners. We can explore a wider range of options through an Adoption Support Needs Assessment (ASNA), including services funded by the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF).

Our Universal Offer

Our adoption services are part of our Universal Offer. This includes:

From the moment you first call us on 0300 300 0000 12, our experienced and compassionate team is here to support adoptive families and young people. Whether you are facing a challenging time at home, school, need some reassurance or you are looking for some specific guidance, our team will take the time to listen and understand your needs. They have a wide range of adoption support knowledge, and they will be thinking carefully how best they can support you and your family.

With over 20 dedicated professionals in our Adoption Support Team, we offer a wide range of skills and experience in supporting families. Our highly trained team includes specialists with backgrounds in areas such as therapeutic parenting, education, and mental health. These include:

  • Social Workers
  • Child and Family Support Workers
  • Senior Practitioners
  • A Multi-Disciplinary Team (including psychologists and therapists)
  • A specialist Training and Development Team

We also work closely with a wide range of organisations such as Virtual Schools and therapeutic specialists.

Our Adoptive Parent Mentors offer a listening ear and empathetic support to many families. Sometimes it can be a chat on the phone or a visit to meet you. They can provide impartial advice and lived experiences to help you through your changing family needs as your child grows.

Our Keeping in Touch Team helps adopted children, their adoptive families, and birth relatives maintain meaningful relationships. We take a modern approach to contact which is flexible and evolving. Families can now use a secure digital platform,  Letter Swap, which makes it easier than ever to share updates and stay connected in a safe, accessible way. The team is committed to supporting positive, healthy connections that benefit your child now and into adulthood.

Throughout the year, we plan a wide range of webinars and workshops to help parents gain knowledge on subjects including trauma, ADHD, Child on Parent Violence, Sensory Needs as well as useful strategies for help with day-to-day parenting. You can explore our Universal Offer or browse our upcoming events.

Register for our monthly email updates if you have not already signed up.

From Virtual Parent Meet Ups, to Fun at the Farm, Family Fun Events, as well as exclusive activities for children aged 7–17 years old, we offer a wide variety of opportunities for pre and post-order families to connect across the Adopt South region both online and in person (Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth, Southampton and bordering towns/villages) which you can find on our events page.

Are you looking for advice, reassurance, a chance to connect with other parents or just interested to find out about what support is available to you? Book your one-hour Catch Up Call with one of our specialists in our Adoption Support Team, at a date and time that works for you.

If you feel your family could benefit from additional support, you can request an Adoption Support Needs Assessment (ASNA). This is a thorough assessment that explores the needs of your child and family.

In some cases, the ASNA may recommend specialist therapeutic support which will lead to an application to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) or it may recommend support from our Multi-Disciplinary Team or family work from one of our social workers.

Whether you need advice, emotional support or practical help, our team is here to listen and offer timely, personalised support.

Current government funding from the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) enables families to access assessment and therapy services. Further details can be found here. Please call our team if you want to find out more.

Referral and signposting

Sometimes, we may recommend support beyond what we offer in house. We have established strong links with a wide range of professionals and organisations to help support your child. These include:

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is available in the following locations:

We will always consider the professional relationships we have in place which may be able to support your child.

The Adoption Support Team is here to help and support you

To find out more about the range of learning, events and social opportunities we offer our families and young people, please explore our Universal Offer or browse our upcoming events.

We also have a Young People’s Guide available to help children and young people understand the adoption journey in a way that’s clear, age-appropriate, and supportive.

Young Person’s Guide to Adoption

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 need to contact us, our Adoption Support Team’s Advice and Support Line is available Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5pm (4:30pm Friday) - Call us on 0300 3000 001 or arrange a call back from one of our team. We are not open on Bank Holidays.

If you have any concerns about safety or need urgent support, there is help available to you:

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 the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust website.

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