Other organisations

There are many great organisations who work to support adoptive families and foster and kinship carers. Some services are free of charge, but others (particularly any training courses) may have to be paid for. In some cases, you may be entitled to training and support packages through your local authority, adoption agency or independent fostering agency, although we understand that accessing this support can be a challenge.

Adoption:

Adoption UK offers local support for members, and there is a membership fee. Services include online community groups, peer mentors, family days, training and a specialist parenting course for adoptive parents, as well as publications. Call Adoption UK: 0844 848 7900.

PAC offers pre-adoption, post-adoption and permanency advice as well as counselling, training, therapeutic work and workshops and an education service. PAC Advice Line: 020 7284 5879.

The Centre for Adoption Support offers multi-disciplinary support and training around adoption and permanency, based in Northwest England. Contact: 01925 534 118.

Fostering:

Fosterline is a free service that provides advice and information to prospective and approved foster carers and those who support them. The team can give advice on fostering issues such as allegations, approval, finance, legislation and relationships with fostering services, and provide details of other useful services and support. Contact FosterLine: 0800 040 7675.

The Fostering Network offers membership for a fee, which includes grants is access to a 24-hour helpline for legal issues and assistance, medical advice, stress counselling and advice on financial issues including benefits, mortgages and retirement planning. Members also receive a quarterly magazine and monthly e-newsletters, access to an online forum and resources and publications. Contact The Fostering Network: 020 7620 6400.

Foster Talk offers a membership for a fee. Members can access legal advice, accounting advice and online learning as well as high street discounts, a magazine and an online forum. They also provide telephone counselling with registered nurses to members. Within Foster Talk, the Foster Carers Independent Support Service (FISS) offers locally based independent advisors to provide support, advocacy and/or mediation for foster families during difficult times, such as allegations and complaints. Contact Foster Talk: 01527 573 790.

Kinship care:

Kinship (formerly Grandparents Plus) is a charity supporting kinship carers in England and Wales through an advice line, peer-to-peer support, resources and signposting. Contact Kinship: 0300 123 7015. For Scotland, visit Kinship Care.

Advice for churches:

Thirtyone:eight (formally CCPAS) offers advice and support for churches on safeguarding and child protection issues.

Support in Scotland:

Get Support - Who Cares? Scotland (whocaresscotland.org) WhoCares run a lot of events and offer support specifically to care experienced children and adults in Scotland.


Whatever your current circumstance, if you would like someone to talk and pray with, call our team on 0300 001 0995. We are always happy to listen and will signpost you to further support where we can.