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OXFORDSHIRE’S PASSPORT TO ADOPTION SUPPORT

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Page 1: OXFORDSHIRE’S PASSPORT TO ADOPTION SUPPORT · Every child deserves a family. Assessment of Adoption Support Needs: Every adopter is entitled to an assessment of their adoption support

Updated July 14

OXFORDSHIRE’S PASSPORT TO ADOPTION SUPPORT

Page 2: OXFORDSHIRE’S PASSPORT TO ADOPTION SUPPORT · Every child deserves a family. Assessment of Adoption Support Needs: Every adopter is entitled to an assessment of their adoption support

For more information visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/adoption or call 0800 7835 7241

Children who are adopted can have ongoing needs, there is support available for both you and your child which may be of benefit. The support you may be entitled to is:

For your child.......

Children adopted from care have priority access to schools which means that your child should be able to attend whichever school you think best meets their needs www.gov.uk/schools-admissions. From September 2014, they will also be entitled to free early education from the age of two tinyurl.com/first4early.If you think your child has special educational needs you can ask your local authority to assess these needs too.

For you......

Many adopters are entitled to adoption leave and pay when their child is placed with them www.gov.uk/adoption-pay-leave. The law is changing to make this entitlement similar to maternity and paternity leave pay, and it will include the right to take time off when you are meeting your child, before they move in with you.

Adopters may have priority for council housing www.gov.uk/council-housing. If you are living in council housing and claiming Housing Benefit or Universal Credit while waiting for a child to move in you can also apply for funding (Discretionary Housing Payments) so that you are not penalised financially while you have an empty spare room.

Once a child has been identified for your family, and before the child is placed with you, you will also be entitled to receive written information concerning the child’s history including a summary of the report of the medical adviser.

Oxfordshire’s adoption support guide

The support has been wonderful since making contact with the

adoption support team. The adoption support social worker has given

emotional support; communicated with us on a regular basis and acted as an

advocate/intermediate. Even just receiving a quick e-mail from her to

touch base, has been uplifting & supportive. It has been a positive

experience for us. She has been a great support to us over the past few months

and I cannot thank her enough - Adoptive Parent

Page 3: OXFORDSHIRE’S PASSPORT TO ADOPTION SUPPORT · Every child deserves a family. Assessment of Adoption Support Needs: Every adopter is entitled to an assessment of their adoption support

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Every child deserves a family.

Every adopter is entitled to an assessment of their adoption support needs at any time but local authorities do not have to provide support in response to an assessment. Which services you are able to access will depend on your circumstances.

Oxfordshire provides and funds a range of support services for adopted children and their families:

Helpdesk 5 days a week for advice, information and counselling Assessment of adoption support needs and support plans/reviewsEnhanced life story work Liaison and support with schools Support contact with child’s birth familyHelp with behavioural and attachment difficultiesReferrals for specialist psychological support to the Attach Team Signposting within education and health Support groups for adoptive parentsRange of specialist training programmes to help adopters meet the needs of their child(ren)Financial support where applicableHelp if an adoption placement becomes fragile or disruptsAnnual adoption picnic Buddy scheme providing peer support from trained adopters Occasional activities for adopted children/young peopleOne year membership of AdoptionUKTwice yearly adopter’s newsletter

Oxfordshire has an Adoption Support Services Advisor (ASSA) to help you access adoption support and other specialist services such as ATTACH and CAMHS. You can find the ASSA’s contact details on the OCC website. The NHS commissions health services to meet the needs of adopted children . NIHCE will provide guidance for GP’s so that your GP will understand the problems they may face.

Which local authority?

‘The 3 year rule’. The local authority that places the child with you is responsible for assessing your adoption support needs for three years after the adoption. After 3 years it becomes the responsibility of the local authority where you live (if different).

Comments and complaints

If you are unhappy with the support provided by us or with the time taken to carry out an assessment, you can complain under the Local Authority Complaints Procedure. Thereafter if you are not satisfied you may be able to refer your complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman www.lgo.

org.uk.

Assessment of Adoption Support Needs:

Page 4: OXFORDSHIRE’S PASSPORT TO ADOPTION SUPPORT · Every child deserves a family. Assessment of Adoption Support Needs: Every adopter is entitled to an assessment of their adoption support

Updated July 14

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fostering and Adoption Teams provide a comprehensive Fostering and Adoption Service to meet the needs of children in Oxfordshire. We provide what all children need – love, consistency, security and much, much more.

Adoptive families often need extra support at the start of their new life together or later on. Our Adoption Support Service provides advice, information and support and help with getting access to other services within the community.

Fostering and Adoption Knights Court, 21 Between Towns Road, Cowley, Oxford OX4 3LX

Tel: 0800 7835 724www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/adoption

Go online and watch Jacob & Isobel’s story

“Every child is as individual

as you are. That’s what makes

fostering and adoption such a

uniquely rewarding experience.”

Oxfordshire’s Fostering & Adoption Service

If you are interested in finding out more, you are welcome to give us a call on 0800 7835724 and talk to a member of the team or by emailing: [email protected]

We would love to hear from you and will be happy to answer any questions you have.