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Events

Considering adoption? Join one of our information events today

You can talk to adoption social workers and families who’ve adopted, watch a presentation, find out more about the application process, and get your questions answered.

If you live in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset or Torbay and are thinking about adopting you can book a place at one of our adoption information events. These are held online, from 5:50pm to 8pm.

If you are related to a child you would like to adopt, please book onto a partner (step-parent) information event instead as the partner events are tailored to your circumstances. Scroll down for more about partner adoption events.

In her mid-40s, Zelda adopted three children after trying to start a family through IVF. She went to an information event back in 2019, and talks about what it was like below.

 Zelda explains an adoption event (pre-meeting)  video

Zelda explains an adoption event (pre-meeting)

Partner adoption events

Partner adoption is a way in which you can become the legal parent of your partner’s child or children from previous marriage or relationship. Partner adoption used to be known as step-parent adoption.

Birth family and adopted people support

We provide support for birth parents.

We also provide support for children, young adults and people who have been adopted.

Adoptive families events

We provide support events for adoptive families. These range from specialist support and training to simply a chance to socialise with other adoptive families. You can see the full list of support activities, or you can choose a type of event from the list below.

Community events

Throughout the year, our Adopt South West team members join community events (Pride, County Shows, festivals and more) across the region to meet people considering adoption, engage with families and promote adoption, while supporting the community. We’d love to see you, please come and say hello!

Meet our team at community events and find out more:

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29 Sep
29/09/2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
These one-hour online sessions offer an opportunity to discuss your child’s life story book with a member of the Adopt South West team.
01 Oct
01/10/2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
This course is now fully booked. However, if you wish to be placed on a waiting list, please email us adoptsouthwestsupport@devon.gov.uk Below for reference: Register [...]
02 Oct
02/10/2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
The Post-Grad Group is open to adoptive parents who have completed a Therapeutic Parenting Course. The sessions are led by Cas Schneider (who also teaches our [...]
06 Oct
06/10/2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Support group for adoptive parents in South Devon.
07 Oct
07/10/2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
These one-hour online sessions offer an opportunity to discuss your child’s life story book with a member of the Adopt South West team.
07 Oct
07/10/2025    
10:45 am - 12:45 pm
The parent-led support group in Plymouth offers a warm welcome and a cuppa for adoptive parents in the Plymouth area.
08 Oct
08/10/2025    
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Adopt South West education psychology drop-ins available to adoptive parents whose child attends a school in Exeter, Mid Devon or East Devon.
08 Oct
08/10/2025    
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Our 2025 annual conference will be taking place on Wednesday 8 October 2025, with a focus on the transition to adulthood.
10 Oct
10/10/2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join our drop-in coffee morning/support group for adoptive parents, or prospective parents who have been approved to adopt, in the Yeovil area.
14 Oct
14/10/2025    
7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Bay Deane, psychotherapist and adoptive parent, facilitates these monthly evening online support sessions for adopters and graduates of the therapeutic parenting course. Why not come [...]
15 Oct
15/10/2025    
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
These one-hour online sessions offer an opportunity to discuss your child’s life story book with a member of the Adopt South West team.
17 Oct
17/10/2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Our drop-in coffee morning/support group for adoptive parents, or prospective parents who have been approved to adopt, in the Mendip area.
20 Oct
20/10/2025    
12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
Are you searching for the long-term solution to bring peace and harmony back to your family? We are offering a nine-week course, From Hostility to Harmony [...]
23 Oct
23/10/2025    
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
These one-hour online sessions offer an opportunity to discuss your child’s life story book with a member of the Adopt South West team.
28 Oct
28/10/2025    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
October half-term holiday event for Adopt South West adoptive families Join Natalie and Sam from our Adopt South West team for our next woodland walk [...]
28 Oct
28/10/2025    
11:00 am - 1:30 pm
Join Mandy and Jane from our Adopt South West team for a relaxed autumn walk through Saltram Park. This gentle activity is a great way [...]
30 Oct
30/10/2025    
11:45 am - 1:45 pm
Join us to meet some furry and not-so-furry friends! As part of our holiday activity programme, we’ve arranged a special experience for up to twenty [...]
01 Nov
01/11/2025    
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Support group for adoptive parents in South Devon.
Events on 29/09/2025
Events on 02/10/2025
Events on 06/10/2025
Events on 10/10/2025
Events on 14/10/2025
Events on 15/10/2025
Events on 23/10/2025
Events on 30/10/2025
Events on 01/11/2025

Support events for adoptive families are listed below

(Some events re-occur each month and are displayed by the date of the first session)


13 January 2026

Date and time Event
13/01/2026 Virtual parents’ monthly support group, with Bay Deane

16 January 2026

Date and time Event
16/01/2026 Somerset (Shepton Mallet) monthly Friday drop-in support group

22 January 2026

Date and time Event
22/01/2026 Life story drop-in sessions - online

3 February 2026

Date and time Event
03/02/2026 Life story drop-in sessions - online
03/02/2026 Plymouth adopters monthly support group (Tuesday)

5 February 2026

Date and time Event
05/02/2026 South and West Devon education psychology drop-ins
05/02/2026 Post-Grad Support Group with Cas Schneider

6 February 2026

Date and time Event
06/02/2026 North Devon education psychology drop-ins

7 February 2026

Date and time Event
07/02/2026 Pants Over Trousers - For Adopters Run By Adopters

9 February 2026

Date and time Event
09/02/2026 South Devon parent support group