Having a sense of community is so important in the adoption experience, and here are a few resources that you may like to tap into to expand your network, with people who know where you’re coming from and understand your perspective.
ASHA
ASHA is a support group for parents who have adopted from India, and if you would like additional information, please contact Shenaz Drury via email at shenazdrury@outlook.com.
Pakistan Adoption Network UK
The Pakistan Adoption Network UK, also referred to as PAN UK, provides information and support for parents who have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, a child from Pakistan. For further information, please email adoptionsupport@coramiac.org.uk.
Guatemalan Families Association
The Guatemalan Families Association, or GFA, is a charity for families who have adopted a child from Guatemala and for Guatemalan adoptees wishing to meet up or be in touch with others with a similar background and heritage. The main aim of the GFA is to actively support children and adults adopted from Guatemala and now living in the UK, by organising social events and opportunities to get together and network with other families and adoptees. To find out more, please visit gfa-uk.org.
CACH-ALL
CACH-ALL is a support group for families in the UK who have completed an intercountry adoption or are in the process. No matter where in the world you have adopted from, you and your child will be very welcome at CACH-ALL. They have great resources and events on offer throughout the year, so do check them out at cach-all.org.uk.
We are Family
We are Family is a network of adoptive parents based primarily in London that offers great resources and virtual get-togethers. For more information, please visit their website at wearefamilyadoption.org.uk.
Adoptionplus
Adoptionplus offers a variety of support services to adoptive parents, including therapy and useful training workshops that cover a range of issues. To view the support they have on offer, visit their website at adoptionplus.co.uk/training.
Adoption UK
Adoption UK provides a wealth of resources to adoptive families throughout the UK. Courses, groups, information, and even a lending library are available through their membership program. They also have a separate membership for your family and friends, which is a great resource for them to tap into. To learn more, visit their website at adoptionuk.org.
Beacon House
Beacon House provides a range of assessments and therapies for children and young people, families, and adults, who are experiencing mental health difficulties, emotional and behavioural problems, and relationship conflict. The holistic team offers a comprehensive service, and they have a special interest in helping to repair the effects of trauma and attachment disruption. Beacon House also has a fantastic selection of online trainings that you can purchase and watch in your own time, with topics like sensory integration and emotional regulation that many families will find to be helpful. To find out more, please visit their website at beaconhouse.org.uk/?section=welcome-to-beacon-house.
Children and Trauma Community Hub
Children and Trauma Community Hub (formerly The Adopter Hub) is an online platform providing support to adopters, foster carers, special guardians, and the professionals that work with them. CATCH is a wonderful online resource for parents that offers a full program of webinars, guides, tips, and support. To see how the Adopter Hub might be helpful for your family, visit their website at catchconnect.org.
Thanks to generous funding during the pandemic from The National Lottery Community Fund, in the near future, IAC will be launching bespoke online modules via CATCH specifically for intercountry adopters. We are really excited about this development and will publish more news about access to the new modules closer to the launch. CATCH has provided us with a limited number of log-ins, and if you would like to give CATCH a try, please email us at adoptionsupport@coramiac.org.uk.
CoramBAAF (Adoption & Fostering Academy)
CoramBAAF is the UK’s leading membership organisation for professionals working across adoption, fostering and kinship care. They provide information, best practice guidance, advice, training and resources to support our members and influence policy to improve outcomes for children and young people. Find out more at corambaaf.org.uk.
Great Behaviour Breakdown
The Great Behaviour Breakdown (GBB) is a parenting approach that has helped even the most difficult of family situations find stability and healing. This training programme acknowledges the importance of educating parents to enhance their parenting skills in order to better meet their child’s needs, and it helps families shift away from anger, blame, and hopelessness into a place of understanding, compassion, and love. GBB focuses on the parent-child relationship and helps parents create environments for their children that are safe and conducive to building strong love-based attachment relationships. To find out about upcoming workshops, please visit livelifeandlovehealing.co.uk/4/Training.html.
Kinship
Kinship is a wonderful organisation for our families who have come together through kinship care. They have a range of services on offer, including peer support, workshops, and practical advice. To find out more, visit their website at kinship.org.uk, and to access their free workshops for kinship carers, visit kinshippeersupport.org.uk/workshops/.
PAC-UK
PAC-UK offers a wide range of services to children and families, including comprehensive training workshops and seminars for adoptive parents. To view what is currently on offer, please visit their website at pac-uk.org/training/.
National Association of Therapeutic Parents
The National Association of Therapeutic Parents (NATP) is a helpful space for adoptive parents that provides support, education, and resources as you move along on your parenting journey. To learn more, visit naotp.com.
You Can Adopt
#YouCanAdopt is a nationwide adopter recruitment campaign which aims to raise awareness of adoption and bust myths around who is eligible. The campaign is being delivered by the The National Adoption Recruitment Steering Group and is supported by the Department for Education. Find out more at youcanadopt.co.uk.
Department for Education Intercountry Adoption Team: gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education
Border and Immigration: bia.homeoffice.gov.uk
Welsh Government: gov.wales
Scottish Government: scotland.gov.uk
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Northern Ireland: dhsspsni.gov.uk