The Adoption Support Services Regulations 2003 require local authorities to make arrangements for the provision of a range of adoption support services. The regulations place duties on local authorities to carry out assessments of needs for adoption support services. Having carried out an assessment, a local authority is then required to decide whether to provide any services. In making this decision the local authorities are expected to take into account the circumstances of each individual case and the resources that are available locally.
While adoptive families can request an assessment of needs for services it is also possible for some services to be provided without a formal assessment of need.
Local authorities can make arrangements for the services to be provided by appropriate voluntary organisations. From September 2005, such voluntary organisations will be required to be registered as "Adoption Support Agencies".
Services that a local authority must be prepared to provide include:
These services can also be provided in conjunction with other statutory agencies.
Adoptive families can contact the Referral and Assessment Team on 01793 466903 regarding assessment of needs.
Alternatively, they can contact the Swindon Borough Council Adoption Support Adviser on 01793 463125 for advice on what services are available from social services, other statutory agencies and voluntary organisations.
The South West Adoption Network (SWAN) offers independent and confidential services to those affected by adoption including adopted people. Swindon social services has an agreement with SWAN to provide independent and confidential services free to adoptive families resident in Swindon. Some neighbouring authorities also have a similar agreement with SWAN
To contact SWAN please telephone their Helpline on 0845 601 2459.
The Helpline is available on:
Alternatively, for further information:
Visit the SWAN website (www.swan-adoption.org.uk)
E-mail SWAN at helpline@swan-adoption.org.uk
NORCAP is a support group that aims to help adults handle their feelings about the effect of adoption on their lives. It provides opportunities for adoptive parents to talk freely with others who have personal experience of adoption.
Swindon Social Services has professional membership of NORCAP. This enables residents of Swindon to join NORCAP at discounted rates.
NORCAP can be contacted as follows:
Telephone: 01865 875000. (Telephone lines are open Mondays to Fridays from 10am to 1pm and from 1.30pm to 4.30pm)
Alternatively, for further information:
Visit the NORCAP website (www.norcap.org.uk).
Email: enquiries@norcap.org.
Many adopters find membership of Adoption UK beneficial. Adoption UK was founded in 1971 by adoptive parents to offer support, information, advice and encouragement to prospective and established adopters.
There is a local group of Adoption UK members that meets in Swindon. Swindon Social Services will pay the first years subscription of any adoptive family resident in Swindon to Adoption UK as part of the Council's commitment to adoption support services for adopters.
To contact Adoption UK:
For issues relating to membership, general advice and help, please telephone 0870 7700 450.
Alternatively, e-mail: admin@adoptionuk.org.uk
A range of information is also available on the Adoption UK website (www.adoptionuk.org.uk)
Accessibility Guideline Notes
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