Families for Children adoption agency update

Last month we made you aware of local adoption agency Families for Children’s decision to close their service at the end of August 2022.

Working closely with them, and with our colleagues at Aspire and Cornwall adoption agencies, we have contacted adoptive families who Families for Children currently support, to identify those who would like their support to continue with Adopt South West. We are also assessing their prospective adopters who have embarked and are part-way through the charity’s adoption process.

While we will do everything we can to support individuals and families throughout that process, this will take time. Because of our legal responsibilities, we will need to review individual cases to ensure that the needs of the child are first and foremost, and that each process is in compliance with the required national standards. We understand that this is a stressful time and acknowledge the upheaval and level of bureaucracy involved, and where it is agreed that there will be a transfer to Adopt South West our aim is that the transfer happens as smoothly as we can.

We assure families that we will do everything we can to progress their applications as quickly as possible during this unsettling time. There are discussions taking place around support and we will keep people informed as we know more ourselves.

In the meantime, if you have any individual queries about this, please contact our advice and support line on 0345 155 1076, or email adoptsouthwestsupport@devon.gov.uk in the first instance.