Cheshire County Council provides a range of services to support all those touched by adoption, including children and young people who are adopted and adoptive parents. Adoption support can be requested at any point and is available even after an Adoption Order is made. Adoption has lifelong implications and Cheshire's Adoption support service is based on awareness of good practice and the need to take into account the views of service users. Where there is a request for adoption support, we strive to make advice and information readily available and, where it is requested, to undertake a timely assessment of what support may be needed. If you are an adopter and the Adoption Order was granted 3 years ago or less, you can access support from the Local Authority that placed the child. Cheshire's Adoption Support service provides ongoing training workshops and support groups to all adoptive families in Cheshire. We also offer opportunities for adopted children and young people to come to groups to meet with other adopted children.

Assessment for Adoption Support

If there is a need for additional support services, an assessment can be requested. The purpose of the assessment is to find out the whole picture of the issues that are of concern and to agree with all involved about the best way forward. Other agencies, such as education or health, may be asked to contribute their views and information where relevant to the issues. The aim of the assessment is to clarify how best to meet the needs of the child and their family. The types of adoption support that can be sought are listed below and an assessment will give information as to what service may be suitable:

- counselling, advice and information

- support groups

- assistance with contact where the child is still in contact with their birth family - financial support

- assistance to help the adoptive relationship remain stable

- assistance if the adoptive relationship is breaking down

- therapeutic services

- financial support

Our adoption service can then help to negotiate a support service on the adoptive family's behalf. This may involve a referral to another agency or another part of Cheshire County Council, for example:

- Cheshire's Children's Centres where parenting help is offered

- Cheshire's education service where a child may benefit from support in school

- welfare rights advice

- CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health services

- Integrated Youth Service and Connexions

- Youth Offending Teams

If you want to know more about adoption support you can contact our Adoption Support team.