Supporting our adoptive families in South Yorkshire
At One Adoption South Yorkshire, we don’t just build families; we are there to support them to thrive. We know that adoption is a lifelong journey, which is why we offer support designed to grow with your family.
Expert training and preparation
Before a child even moves in, we ensure you feel confident and ready:
- Preparation to Adopt course: Covering child development, attachment, and therapeutic parenting.
- Support for your wider family: Research and experience tell us that having a good support network can be a vital part of a successful adoption placement. Professional support is important, but the support offered from family and friends is the most valuable to adoptive parents and their children. We offer training so your family and friends can understand more about adoption and the support you’ll need.
- Specific training for those adopting siblings or choosing early permanence (Fostering to Adopt)
Ongoing support
Our adoption support continues throughout childhood from early years to teenage years and beyond.
- Adopters’ area on the website: Once you are approved as an adopter, you will be given access to our adopters' only area of this website, which provides a host of useful information on all the support, training and events available for our adopters.
- Post approval training: We offer lots of ongoing training for our adopters.
- Post adoption support plans: All adopters should have a support plan agreed before they adopt their child. The plan includes details of specialist support that will be needed, outlines contact arrangements and agrees any financial support that may be offered. The Adoption Support plan will be reviewed annually with your consent.
- Local support groups: As an adoptive parent, you’ll have access to our support groups, giving you the chance to meet up with other adoptive families in your local area.
- A supportive adoptive community: When you adopt with us, you’ll be invited to join our network of adoptive families for peer-to-peer support, friendship, and memorable family events throughout the year.
- Education Advocacy: Education is often a major issue for adopted children and young people. There are various forms of educational support, from priority access to schools to Pupil Premium funding to help schools give extra support to adopted children. You would need to let the school know that your child is adopted so that the school can claim the pupil premium. More information can be found here.
- Adoption leave: Many adopters are entitled to adoption leave and pay when their child is placed with them, through their employer. The law is changing to make this entitlement more similar to maternity and paternity leave pay and it will include the right to take time off when you’re meeting your child, before they move in with you. You’ll find more about adoption pay/leave on the Gov.UK website.
- Therapeutic Funding: Due to the impact of early trauma and separation, adopted children often need additional support at different times throughout their childhood. The Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund is designed to support you and your child in accessing additional support. You can find out more information here
- Skilled Therapeutic Team. Our adoption support team includes a clinical psychologist and therapeutically trained practitioners who can offer consultations and provide a range of therapeutic courses.
- Support for LGBTQ+ Adopters – We are proud to be a member of New Family Social, a national organisation that supports LGTBQ+ adopters and foster carers. Once you apply to be assessed, you will automatically get free membership.
Support accessing the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund
The government’s Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) can be used to fund specialist therapeutic support for your family.
Adoptive families who are in need of specialist therapeutic support can access the ASGSF via their Adoption Support pathway. The funding is designed to help you access specialist therapeutic services. There are many different forms of therapy that can support you and your child’s needs during your adoption journey. This support can help children process their previous experiences, and bond together as a family. More information can be found here.
Support for maintaining connections with birth families
Most adopted children have a plan for an ongoing relationship with their birth family. These arrangements will vary with each team. Our dedicated staff support both adoptive and birth relatives with this.
Other places to go to for help and advice
As well as the support we provide, these national organisations and charities can also provide useful information and advice:
(Supporting agencies and professionals who work with children and young people)
(Supporting LGBTQ+ adoptive and foster families)
- Independent Review Mechanism (an independent body to review decisions about approving adopters)
- Ofsted
Already an existing adopter with us?
If you are an existing One Adoption South Yorkshire adopter you can access a host of support information on our dedicated adopter webpages of this website - including information about support groups and training opportunities across the region.
Need a login?
If you don't have a login for the Adopters' Area please contact our communications lead with your name, email address and which area you live in.
You can also access support from your council's out-of-hours social work teams (click on the link for your area) Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield.