Help available
Throughout the assessment and matching process, you will have the support of a qualified Adoption Social Worker.
You will be visited regularly by your Social Worker and the child’s Social Worker after a child is place up until the Adoption Order is made.
In Blackpool our adopters receive, or have access to, the following:
- A Social Worker dedicated to adoption support.
- Quarterly adopter's support groups - both topic based and an informal discussion with other adopters and Social Workers.
- Biannual newsletters providing information and advice.
- Social events - allowing adopted children and their families to get together on an informal basis.
- Access to training on adoption related issues.
- Signposting and liaison with other community based services.
- Assistance with managing any indirect or direct contact arrangements.
- Free membership to Adoption UK for 1 year
- Access to the services of After Adoption
After Adoption provide information, support and counselling through a wide range of services.
Will I get financial help?
You would usually assume full financial responsibility for your adopted child.
However, in certain circumstances you may be eligible for some form of financial help. This would take account of a child's special needs or may be to enable a group of siblings to remain together. Eligibility for financial support is usually via a means test.
Do adoptive parents get the same entitlement to benefit / leave rights etc as birth parents?
Child Benefit
Adopters are entitled to claim Child Benefit from the date their adopted chid is placed with them.
Tax Credits
You may also be able to claim Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.
Adoption Leave and Pay
As a new adoptive parent you may also be entitled to Adoption Leave and pay. From the 1st April 2007, you may be entitled to 39 weeks paid leave.
For more useful information, please see our "Adoption Statement of Purpose".