Children's guide to adoption

We know that being adopted may not be easy at times and that sometimes you or your parents have questions and feelings that you need some help with

Some children and young people are not able to live with their birth families and need to become part of a new family through "adoption".

There are many different reasons why children are adopted.

Sometimes a judge decides adoption is the plan for a child because there are worries about a child's safety or care.

Sometimes birth parents aren't able to look after their children as they grow up.

When you have been adopted into your new family we hope that everything will go well for all of you.

We know that being adopted may not be easy at times and that sometimes you or your parents have questions and feelings that you need some help with.

As you are growing up there may be times when you have strong feelings about things.

When we have strong feelings, like hurt or anger or excitement we don't always know where they come from.

Sometimes these feelings can affect your parents too.

If you don't understand how you feel, then it's difficult for your parent to know how you fell and how to help you.

The people from Cumbria Adoption can:

Listen to you
Help you understand why you were adopted
Help you understand and answer questions about being adopted
Talk to you about contact with your birth family
Help your parents understand the strong feelings you might sometimes have and show then how you can all work together to help each other
Help you talk to your parents about difficult things
Help you meet other adopted children and young people at our social events and groups
Help your teachers to understand how you might be feeling in school and how they can help you feel happier when you are there

If you can, try talking to your mum or dad, but if you find this too hard, talk to a family friend, teacher or another adult you feel you can trust.

All these people can contact the Adoption Support Team for you, or you can contact us yourself:

How to contact Adoption Support

Request a call back
Email AdoptionSupportTeam@cumbria.gov.uk A social worker is on duty Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm
Phone us on 0303 333 1216

We need to understand how things are going for your whole family so we would want to meet with you and your family. This could be at your home or wherever you will be most comfortable.

When we have listened to everyone and we understand how everyone is feeling and what you need help with, we will agree the best way to support you all and we will check that you are happy with this.

Adoption Support Service Advisor

Every agency has an Adoption Support Service Advisor (ASSA), who can provide advice and information to all this involved in adoption.

The ASSA can also help you access adoption support and other specialist services.

The Cumbria's ASSA is:
Jane Gray,
Team Manager Adoption Support,
County Hall,
Busher Walk,
Kendal,
Cumbria.
LA9 4RQ