Adoption

The life you change will be yours

There are many children who need adoptive parents, as it is not possible for their birth parents to raise them. In Waltham Forest we have children of different ages, from many different backgrounds, culture and religions and we need families to reflect this.

Who can adopt?

All sorts of people can make a success of adoption.

You can be from any background, either single or a couple, married or unmarried, lesbian or gay. You have to be over 21. You may own or rent your home, be in or out of work and be from any cultural or religious background.

The child needs your love… and more

The important thing is that you are able to offer a child your love and support and that you can provide a stable and nurturing home while they grow up. You will need plenty of patience, humour and energy. Above all, you need to be determined to give a child the kind of love or support that will really make a difference to their lives.

You won’t be alone

We provide lots of help and support though the whole process from deciding to adopt to having a child come to live with you. We are here to support all members of the family at any time when help is needed, both now and in the future, and can assist in making links to other services.

What you will need

Patience, humour and energy
Support from your family and friends

What we offer

Information and training
Information and advice from Adoption Support Services – this is available to anyone affected by adoption

Want to know more?

As a first step 'phone 020 8496 1588 and ask for our adoption information pack.

“I’m ecstatic, it has been a turbulent few months waiting for the final decision to be made. I am so glad I can give Ericaa better life with our family”.
A Waltham Forest adopter

Post Adoption Support Services

PAC offers free, locally-based, counselling sessions to adopted adults, birth fathers, birth mothers and other birth family members, as well as to adoptive and permanent foster carers, prospective adopters and parents who have experienced placement breakdown. PAC has particular expertise in supporting black and minority ethnic children and their families and in transracial adoption.

The sessions take place in Walthamstow and are held during the daytime, usually on a Thursday. Four sessions are available in each financial year. If the counsellor advises more sessions, then this can be considered. If adoptive parents are in a partnership, both parents are requested to attend all sessions. Generally, the counsellors do not see the adopted children.

Appointments can be made by contacting PAC’s Advice Line on 0870 777 2197 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am-1pm or Thursdays 5.30-7.30pm. This is also the number to contact for telephone counselling or support, or for advice on any adoption related matter. You can also visit their web site at www.postadoptioncentre.org.uk

» For further information contact Arnoldus Coppens, Team Manager Post Adoption Support Services on 020 8496 1591 or e-mail arnoldus.coppens@walthamforest.gov.uk

Independent Adoption Support Forum Member

We are seeking to recruit two independent forum members to develop Post Adoption Services in Waltham Forest.

The people we are looking for need to live in the borough and have personal experience of adoption as an adopted adult or as a birth relative.

The job involves your commitment for three or four Friday afternoons over one year. A small allowance is payable. You need to agree to a Criminal Record Bureau check.

To apply, please send a personal statement saying why you are the right person to:

Arnoldus Coppens
Team Manager
Post Adoption Support Services
1c The Drive
Walthamstow, E17 3BN

Adoption UK - Adoptive parents needed

Waltham Forest has also teamed up with Adoption UK, a national self-help charity providing information, support, and encouragement and training to prospective adopters, adoptive parents, long-term foster carers and all those who work with them.

Adoption UK is continuing to expand its network of local support groups and buddy support schemes and in partnership with The London Borough of Waltham Forest is looking for:

Adoptive parents

To participate in monthly group meetings
To encourage and support each other
To identify particular issues for workshops and training

Volunteers needed

Local support group volunteer co-ordinators

to set up and run local group meetings for prospective adopters and adoptive parents.
to encourage and support local members.
to liaise with local agencies.

Adoptive parent volunteer buddies

to provide one-to-one support over the phone or in person to new adoptive parents or those experiencing particular difficulties.

For co-ordinators and Buddies, Adoption UK will provide full induction and ongoing training, support, supervision and free membership of Adoption UK. You will be an adoptive parent, with the time, space, empathy and commitment to provide practical and emotional support to others; with a good understanding of adoption and adoptive parenting issues; and good listening skills.

» For more information and contact details please download the Adoption UK advertisement (45KB PDF file)

AAA-NORCAP

The main beneficiaries of AAA-NORCAP are adopted adults. Much of their work follows birth record counselling, access to adoption files and search and reunion services. There is a strong and thriving tradition of mutual support, listening ear provision and the sharing of experiences that encompasses all the complex responses that may arise in adults whose lives have been touched by adoption.

» For further information call 01865 875 000 or visit www.norcap.org.uk

Contact us

Fostering and Adoption Service
London Borough of Waltham Forest
1C The Drive
Walthamstow E17 3BN
Tel 020 8496 3000, or
Direct line to Adoption Service on 020 8496 1588
Direct line to Fostering Service on 020 8496 2479