At Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Adoption we provide a range of services aimed to offer the right level of support at the right time for our adoptive and SGO families.
We support children traumatised by their experiences to feel safer and more secure within their families with a focus on attachment and we have relationships at the heart of what we do.
We offer support that will empower families to be able to support themselves with the right knowledge, skills, and tools.
Universal Services
There are various parts of our service that is open to all.
- Supporting Post Box contact and advice on managing contact
- Signposting to relevant and helpful groups and organisations
- Support groups and summer picnics for our families
- Information and resources
Advice and Support
We have a duty Social Worker who you can contact for advice and support. They take time to listen and understand your situation to help you to think about where support can be accessed - family & friends, peer support or community universal services including school, health, safeguarding or Early Help services.
Just contact our duty worker on 01480 379679 or email us at:
Assessment of Need and Support
After speaking with our duty worker, if more help is needed, we can assign a social worker to assess your needs through a straightforward referral form. We strive to match families with a social worker promptly, but the wait time may reach up to four months during peak periods. In the interim, our duty social workers are available for advice and support.
The assessment provides a chance to explore challenges with your assigned social worker, understand underlying issues, and identify what support is needed. A tailored support plan will be created, incorporating universal services and therapeutic support from the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Fund. Your social worker will guide you through this process. If your family requires specific support, we'll ensure continued support from our social work team.
The Adoption Support Fund can be used to fund specialist therapeutic support for your family. Adoptive families, who need therapeutic support (determined following an assessment), can access the Adoption Support Fund via their Adoption Support pathway. The funding is designed to help you access specialist therapeutic services. There are many different forms of therapy that can support you and your child’s needs during your adoption journey. This support can help children process their previous experiences and build stronger relationships as a family.
To find out more visit: www.adoptionsupportfund.co.uk
Crisis Support
Unfortunately, the Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Team are unable to offer immediate support to families in a crisis. We are able to offer support and guidance and will work alongside other professionals who are supporting you as a family however this can not be immediate.
You are able to access support from Children’s Social Care and to access such support please contact them via phone:
- 0345 045 5203 (9-5pm Monday to Friday) – Cambridgeshire
- 01733 864170 or 01733 864180 (9-5pm Monday to Friday) – Peterborough
- 01733 234 724 (out of hours)
Alternatively you can contact them via email on referralcentre.children@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
You are also able to access urgent mental health need please immediately call your local CAMHS provider and request an urgent assessment. Further information can be found at https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/service-detail/service/child-and-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs-63/
Additionally, you can contact the contact the CPFT’s First Response Service by calling NHS 111 (option2).
Adoption and Special Guardianship Allowances
There is financial support available to adopters and special guardians and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Adoption support with implementing these allowances.
These documents provide additional information about what support is available.
If you have secured an Adoption Order or Special Guardianship Order, please contact the finance teams direct and they will help answer your queries.
If you child was placed by Peterborough City Council please contact placementcosts@peterborough.gov.uk
If you child was placed by Cambridgeshire County Council please contact Fostering.Finance@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
In other circumstances, please discuss this with your Social Worker who will support you through the process.
Contact
For information about our Adoption & Special Guardianship Support Services, contact our us at:
AdoptionandSGO.SupportDuty@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
01480 379679
