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Join us at our Adoption Information Event on 4/12/24

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Family Adoption Links

Northamptonshire

Child-centred professionals dedicated to achieving successful
adoptions through effective matching and ongoing support.

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About us

As friendly and professional adoption experts, we aim to provide secure and loving homes to children who need adoption. However, the journey doesn’t stop there, so we’re proud to offer ongoing support to our children and their families for as long as they need it.

We adopt a child-centric approach providing the highest possible standards of care in line with their individual needs. With this in mind, we also aim to identify adoptive families for our children as soon as possible. This aim has been enhanced by becoming part of this larger regional adoption agency, Family Adoption Links.

01604526959
adoption@nctrust.co.uk

The adoption process

When you start your adoption journey with us, we are committed to empowering you with as much information as possible through our Information Events, Information Guide and informal chats with our Social Workers so that you can be sure adoption is the right path for you.

We know that applying to adopt is a life-changing decision which is why we will be with you at every step of your journey and will guide you through the application process offering you valuable, interesting and comprehensive training to ensure you are aware of and prepared to meet the needs of your newly adopted child.

After you have been approved, our experienced staff will work hard to match you with your child. Again, this is where being part of a regional adoption agency is a benefit since there is a wider pool of children to be matched with. Our transition and placement processes have been honed over many years to offer the most seamless and successful experiences both for our children and for you as adopters.

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, we are fully committed to offering support in many different ways as you and your family progress through your adoption journey. From a telephone helpline to comprehensive Family Adoption Links online and in-person training on specific topics, quarterly newsletters to a buddy system, education support, adopter events and more, we are there with you every step of the way.

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You Can Adopt Information Events

We hold free, monthly and online Information Events to give you the opportunity to find out everything you need to know about adoption and enjoy a unique opportunity to hear from and ask questions from people who have already adopted.

Book your place
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Register your interest to become an adopter

If you'd like to start your adoption journey, simply complete this form and one of our friendly team will be in touch to help you further.

Initial Expression of Interest
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Support

We're passionate about offering a comprehensive range of support to everyone affected by adoption. This includes adopted children and their parents, birth families and adopted adults. Our dedicated and experienced Adoption Support Team team are available via telephone or email and have a wealth of experience and resources available to help you at every stage of your adoption journey.

What support is available for adoptive families?

We offer a support hotline available 5 days a week to families who are in need of support.

In the first instance, call 01604 526960 or email postadoption@nctrust.co.uk (Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am-4pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9am-1pm) where your enquiry will be handled by an experienced Social Worker.

If it is identified that more constant or a higher level of support is required you will then be invited to a therapeutic parenting group initially (unless your needs are financial or school-based).

After attending this group, you can decide if you would like the further support of a one-to-one Social Worker and the creation of an Assessment of Need.

If a Manager triages you as higher risk during the initial contact, you will be allocated a Social Worker alongside attending the therapeutic parenting group.

An Assessment of Need is completed in consultation with you by your Social Worker to determine what kind of support you would benefit from. This can include:

  • The support of a qualified and experienced Social Worker
  • Education – advice and support with dealing with any problems at school
  • Contact issues – mediation and support with contact arrangements and managing, maintaining and reviewing contact
  • Strategies for dealing with challenging behaviour
  • Relationships – access to mediation and support in improving communication
  • Advice on sharing your child’s life story
  • Help with referrals to other agencies
  • Help to access therapeutic services – counselling for young people and Theraplay for children if appropriate
  • Post adoption counselling service – a free, independent and confidential service where you can discuss your feelings in a safe and secure environment

How can we access support?

Our telephone and email advice line is available five days a week by calling 01604 526960 or by emailing postadoption@nctrust.co.uk (Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am to 4pm and Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 1pm) where your enquiry will be handled by an experienced Social Worker.

If you require additional support, you will need a referral, this can be done by yourself, family members or a wide range of professionals.

Make a Referral

What happens when a referral is made?

Firstly, a Social Worker will contact you to find out your needs and those of your child and your family. The Social Worker will make an appointment to come and visit you at a time that’s convenient for you.

Your Social Worker will work together with you to complete your Assessment of Needs. This will help to identify the help and support you need and the services you will be able to access. If appropriate, a plan of support will be developed.

What does the Adoption Support Services Adviser (ASSA) do?

Family Adoption Links Northamptonshire offers an Adoption Support Services Adviser (ASSA) who acts as an advocate for adoptive families helping to access services for them as well as offering advice and support. If you would like more information on this or are experiencing any difficulties accessing services, please contact sarah.fletcher@nctrust.co.uk

How can I give feedback?

We strive to give adoptive families the best support we can. If you have a suggestion about how we could improve our services, we would be pleased to hear from you.

We love feedback so if you’ve had a brilliant experience please let us know so that we can reward and commend our staff.

And if you think there’s anything we could do better then we’re eager to develop our services too. Please send your feedback here.

Key telephone numbers

Recruitment, Assessment and Family Finding Team – 01604  526959

Adoption Support Team –  01604 526960

Letterbox & Keeping in Touch Co-ordinator – 01604 527388

Adopted Adults Access to Records Co-ordinator – 01604 527387

Stay and Play

We know how useful it it to be able to talk to others who are in a similar situation and how valuable friendships can be within the adoption community so we organise monthly events for adopters to come together, chat and enjoy a coffee. Our Stay and Play sessions take place between 10 and 12 noon on the date below.  They offer a brilliant chance for parents to chat and children to play before reading some stories and singing together. Find out more and book your place using the button.

Dates for 2024 (all Thursdays)

17/10, 21/11, 19/12

Book your place on the next event

Adopter Socials

Our next social event is for adults only and takes place on October 17th at 7.30pm when we’ll be enjoying a few drinks and dinner in a local pub. Enjoy this great opportunity to chat, compare stories and make friends with no distractions! For more details and venue information, please email adoption.admin@nctrust.co.uk

Support group for Dads

Have you heard about this local support group for Dads?

SENDS 4 DAD is a unique support group for Dads with a child/children with special educational needs/disability.

Not only do they host an activity club every Sunday between 11 and 12 at The Frank Bruno Centre, NN3 9TW, they also host a series of events which includes a visit to Betty’s Farm, Nerf gun wars and breakfast meet-ups.  You can find out more by visiting their Facebook page or by sending them an email.

Find us

Family Adoption Links Northamptonshire
One Angel Square
Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED

 

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Annual Statement of Purpose

As an Adoption Service in England, we are required to produce a written Statement of Purpose each year which sets out details of our services and how we will meet our commitment to providing high-quality care and support for our children, young people, and adopters.

Annual Statement of Purpose
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