01244 390 938
01244 390 938
We are all living with uncertainty since Covid-19 impacted all of our lives in 2020. We want to let you know that we continue to be here for you, you matter to us.
Whilst today, Monday 19 July 2021, the UK Government is making a number of relaxations to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) restrictions that have been in place, it has also been made clear that risks still exist surrounding the transmission of Covid-19 and that we all need to remain careful, vigilant and take all reasonable precautions to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. At Adoption Matters we take our responsibilities towards the health and safety of our staff, the families we work with and other professionals seriously.
As Adoption Matters is primarily a home working organisation, we will continue to make the very most of the latest communication technology in conducting our work with children, families, prospective families and colleagues. For any face to face meetings / visits, we will contact all parties involved with our own Covid-19 risk assessments and guidance in place. We want to assure you that we will continue with our important work with children and families as we have done since Covid-19 impacted all our lives in early 2020.
If you have any queries, please contact us on 0300 123 1066 or email us at: info@adoptionmatters.org
We have been asked a lot of questions from our enquirers and we thought it would be helpful to summarise some frequently asked questions regarding Covid-19 (Coronavirus) and how we are responded and worked through lockdown restrictions and changing guidance.
Can we still apply to adopt with you during lockdown restrictions?
Yes! We remained very much open for business during lockdown with all of our staff working remotely at home. As lots of our staff were home workers before Covid-19, we were well set up to work 100% at home when the Government advice advised to do so. Your adoption journey can start and continue with us during any lockdown restrictions. If you have been thinking about adoption for some time, contact us, we are here and we can use the latest technology to make contact with you. Children are still waiting for individuals and families to consider adoption. If you are in Stage 1 or 2 of your assessment with us, we are still continuing with our work. While there may be a small number of checks and medicals that maybe delayed in any lockdown, we can pick this up with you and we are also holding virtual adoption panels. We can still process all our information securely. So we can and still continue with a lot of our work now and pick up on tasks when this crisis is over.
How can we find out more information?
We would ask you in the first instance to download one of our adoption information packs here, which contains lots of vital information and explains the next steps if you wish to proceed. We are holding regular online information events in place of our usual information evenings across the country. The events are hosted by members of our experienced enquiry teams who will talk you through the process. There is no obligation on you if you sign up to the events other than to listen but you will get the opportunity to ask questions if you wish at the end. You can also contact speak to someone by phone 9:30-4:30 Monday to Friday and as well as some evenings listed our on website.
Are you still undertaking home visits?
We are following to the latest Government guidance and have our own risk assessments and guidance in place for home visits. This is being reviewed on a regular basis in line with any changes in guidance.
Are you still placing children for adoption?
Yes. We have placed and are still placing children with their adoptive families throughout all Covid-19 restrictions. The children that we place for adoption and our adoptive families are central to all that we do and keeping everyone safe is really important to us. We are using risk assessments and ensuring we adhere to all social distancing guidelines. We are working closely with our Regional Adoption Agency colleagues across the country to ensure that Covid-19 does not impact on children in care further by adding further delays for them. Children still need families, our work cannot and should not stop, supporting our adoptive families is our priority.
I am currently furloughed from my job / or my job has changed and worried that my finances will affect my application to adopt.
There are many people in this position so please don’t let this deter you from contacting us. Financial security is part of our assessment but we are in unprecedented times working through this pandemic and we are taking this into consideration with our assessments. The needs of the children that need adoptive families are always paramount in our work so financial security does need to be considered but we will discuss this with you, just give us a call or drop us an email with your query.
I am in the vulnerable group, can I still enquire to adopt?
Yes. Adopters come from all walks of life and many adopters with ongoing health conditions or disabilities. As part of applying to adopt applicants have a medical that is usually conducted by their own G.P. During any lockdown period, applicants are being asked to self-report any medical conditions and medical examinations maybe deferred until lockdown restrictions are lifted. Many health issues do not prevent people from adopting. In general, we are looking for people who are physically fit and well enough to manage the day to day challenges of adopting and who have the emotional wellbeing to cope with the stresses that applying to adopt and parenting an adopted child/ren through to adulthood can bring.
To download a no obligation adoption information pack, complete our short form here – a pack will be available to download immediately and a copy will also be emailed to you.
You can also contact our adoption advice line on Freephone: 0300 123 1066 or email us at: info@adoptionmatters.org We are holding online adoption information events throughout the lockdown period and whilst social distancing measures are in place, to view our online events visit our events page here.
Self-isolating at home, working, juggling childcare and/or caring for relatives or just being at home alone. Adoption Matters want to stay social while distancing to help our families, prospective families and all of our friends and colleagues get through this challenging time we are all facing.
We are regularly updating our social media pages with lots of tips, hints, videos and details of all of our upcoming virtual events including adoption information events including our Adopting with Concurrent Planning Service, support events and fundraising events such as our virtual quiz held at Christmas. In addition to the regular guidance and advice we are adding to our pages here, our social accounts have lots more to offer.
Please remember to follow us, tweet us, share your stories, pictures and just check in for a little light relief…
You can contact us by emailing: info@adoptionmatters.org or call us on: 0300 123 1066.
