Adopters and their adopted children may need post adoption support at any time in the future. The local authority responsible for placing the child or children will be responsible for 3 years from the date of the adoption order for assessing what support is needed. After 3 years the local authority where the adoptive family live becomes responsible for assessing for support services. Financial support, however, remains the responsibility of the placing authority if it was agreed at the time of placement.

Post-Adoption support services are also provided for adoptive parents and adoptive families by MFC Adoption and begin with assisting in the formulation and implementation of adoption support plans for children about to be placed for adoption with MFC Adoption approved families, as well as helping review support plans for those families with children already in placement. Other services may include helping adopters implement agreed contact plans, counselling and annual reviews of adoption allowances and financial support packages.

As MFC Adoption grows in size it will have a specific post responsible for the development of post-adoption Services and a full-time Adoption Support Social Worker. A named post-adoption worker will be provided to adopters needing support, including liaison with other agencies in health/education if appropriate.

New adopters will be offered a year’s subscription to Adoption UK, which gives access to local and national support networks. The database of approved adopters will be regularly updated and a newsletter is sent to adoptive parents. MFC Adoption will actively encourage adopters to maintain links with each other and a “Buddy Scheme” will be developed to link adopters to each other.

Post-approval training and post-placement workshops will also be offered.