Adoption support

"Adoption with Kent means there is always someone who cares"

Both during the adoption process and afterwards, matters can arise amongst those involved in adoption that need special guidance, support or counselling.

These can include:

• adopted people wanting to find out about their birth families
• adoptive parents who can often benefit from help to access appropriate services
• birth families coping with the effects of adoption may need advice about contact issues or general support
• special guardians needing some assistance.

Local Authorities are required to provide a range of adoption support services to meet these kinds of need. In Kent we do this through both our own Adoption & Special Guardianship (ASG) Support Team and our partners Kent Independent Service for Kinship and Adoption (KISKA). ASG primarily supports adoptive families and children under 18.

Older adopted people - and birth families - are supported by KISKA. All children placed for adoption must now have a support plan in place that identifies their individual needs and those of their new family. This plan may be updated and reviewed until the child is 18.

The post-adoption centre (PAC) also provides telephone access to information, advice five days per week, for adults and children affected by adoption.