Adoption is a lifelong experience for all those who are affected by it.
Adoption support services are available for anyone involved in adoption who lives in Cumbria or for anyone whose adoption was arranged by Cumbria County Council.
The Adoption Support Team in Cumbria was set up in 2005 to ensure the delivery of a comprehensive package of information and support to all those involved in adoption. The team is partr of the Children's Services directorate of Cumbria County Council.
The Adoption Support Service can offer the following services:
- counselling and confidential advice for anyone involved in adoption;
- letterbox scheme to promote indirect contact between birth families and adoptive families;
- birth record counselling for adopted adults seeking information about their past;
- support groups for adoptive parents held in Carlisle, Penrith, Cockermouth, Kendal and Barrow-in-Furness;
- support group held in Kendal for adopted adults and birth parents;
- art group for adopted children and young people;
- contact service for birth relatives seeking contact with their adopted relative;
- annual fun day for adoptive families;
- financial support to meet the particular needs of adopted children; and
- twice yearly newsletter for adoptive families.