Adoption

History of the act of formal adoption and the law

Before 1976

Adoption was put on a formal footing in 1926, following the publication of the Adoption of Children Act.

Prior to this, adoptions were arranged by adoption societies and between private individuals. Some societies, one being the Church of England Children's Society, maintain records of adoptions that they arranged. Boards of Guardians also prepared reports but very few remain.

When the act was drafted it was assumed that the adopted person’s break with the birth family would be total and it was believed that the adopted person would never be able to trace their birth roots.

From 1927 adoptions had to be approved by magistrates meeting in a Petty Sessions Court and each court maintained a register. These registers are closed to public inspection for 75 years.

The registers contain:

• The date, name of the child to be adopted, & the date of birth.
• The name and address of the birth mother (and sometimes the father).
• The name and address of the adoptive parents, and sometimes the name of the person acting as Guardian ad Litem, and the decision of the court.

The clerk to the Petty Sessions Court kept a file on each adoption and many have been destroyed. Some may be deposited at the NRO, but are not open to public inspection.

Later, local authorities were given authority to supervise adoptions and children's officers were appointed. These were sometimes attached to the Education Department (before the creation of Social Services departments in 1971), who again kept a register of all the cases with which they were involved. The registers are dated 1927-1945 and are a useful indication as to whether there are papers relating to the adoption in the Children's Officer's files. If the register indicates that the County Council acted as Guardian ad Litem, there should be relevant papers.

Children's Officer's files can be disappointing but should contain forms signed by the birth mother relinquishing her rights to the child. Sometimes there is correspondence from the local clergy as to the suitability of the prospective parents. Sometimes there will be a note about the birth mother and her circumstances and in some cases notes about the father too.

Registers of all adoptions are kept at the General Register Office and indexes to them can be accessed BUT only the adoptee is allowed access to the information that links the birth name with the adopted one.

Adoption Act 1976

The Adoption Act which came into being in 1976, changed things slightly. This made provision for people adopted after 11th November 1975 to have the right to access their birth records once they reached 18 years of age. It gave people adopted before that date the same right, but with the proviso that they must seek counselling first. The NRO will NOT release records to anyone without the appropriate official paperwork to say that this has been done.

Adoption and Children Act 2002

The Adoption and Children Act 2002, which came into force on 30 December 2005, brings the law on adoption up to date and puts the needs of the child above everything else. The changes in the law should improve the adoption service and help more people consider adoption.

What is adoption?

Adoption is a way of providing a new family for a child when living with their own family is not possible. It is the means of giving a child an opportunity to start again.

To be eligible for adoption the child must be under the age of 18 years and a child for whom returning home to their parents is not possible. Should the child be married or has been married they cannot be adopted.

An Adoption Order severs all legal ties with the birth family and confers parental rights and responsibilities on the new adoptive family. The birth parents no longer have any legal rights over the child and they are not entitled to claim them back. The child becomes a full member of the family; they take the adoptive parents’ surname and assume the same rights and privileges as if they had been born to them, including the right of inheritance.

All adoption orders must be granted by the High Courts, County Courts or Juvenile Courts. They issue a directive to the Registrar General to make an entry in the adopted children’s register, according to the particulars of the adopted child and adoptive parents.

How do you know if you are adopted?

In recent times, given the changes in adoption law and current thinking, it is thought better that a child know they are adopted, than for them to 'find out' by some other means. Many, although not all, of today's adoptees maintain contact with their birth parents, although this is relatively new thinking.

Many people will no doubt go through life never even knowing they were adopted, No one has ever told them and they have never had a situation arise in which they have queried their parentage- it is a small minority though.

Most will know because their parents have told them, maybe just once and never spoke of it again, but nevertheless have told them.

Other parents will be open and honest and explain to the child what being adopted means, maybe starting at an early age, before the child even understands the complex meaning of what they are being told.

There is no rule. No-one has to tell their child they are adopted (although the child may not thank them should they ever discover!) and there is nothing to say that a child shouldn't be told, for whatever reason. A parent's ability to talk about their child's adoption in no way reflects on their love for the child - some can talk openly and honestly about adoption like many other things, others are just not as confident.

Maybe a good thing to note... When telling a child about their pre-adoption situation, many parents may not tell the whole truth. That is not to say they set out to lie or deceive, but simply that as parents, it is their job to protect and care for you and your feelings. No parent wants their child to be hurt, so maybe will not tell of things that they think will hurt or cause them distress. Don’t think any the less of them for this – it is because they love you.

Whose search is it?

It is the adoptee’s search, no one else’s and should be carried out at their pace.

Any adoptee that chooses to search needs to do so for themselves and with very good reason.

All sorts of things may be uncovered along the way that will raise emotional issues and thoughts. As each occurs they need to be thought through, and their implications on everyone, not just the adoptee, need close examination. What a well meaning friend thinks about something maybe completely different as to what you think. Gather opinion by all means, but ultimately regardless of what anyone else thinks, it is the adoptee’s feelings that matter most.

Two possible Scenarios (of hundreds!): You have your birth name, and your birth parents’ names on your original birth certificate and have started basic factual research. You find evidence to suggest that your birth mother went on and married.

• Scenario One:

She married a man two years after you were born, and had children who consequently are your half siblings

• Scenario Two:

She went on to marry your birth father two years after you were born and had children that are consequently your full siblings.

How does that make you feel? Scenario One evokes different feelings to Scenario Two. This needs to be thought through and will have implications on what you may or may not choose to do next, or even ever.

Where to start?

First Step

In order to start your search it is necessary to obtain a copy of your full original birth certificate.

• If you know your birth name. Sending for an original birth cert is no more difficult than sending for any other certificate from the GRO. The cost is £7.00, and should be applied for using a GRO Reference Number. Should you be unable to look it up for yourself, be assured that there is nothing in the GRO index that indicates the person is adopted.

• If you don’t know your birth name You will need to apply to the Registrar General for the information. If you were adopted before 12.11.1975 you are required to meet with an adoption counsellor prior to being given this information.

Counselling is arranged through the Office for National Statistics. You should write to that office and they will send you an application form and information leaflets which should be carefully read and followed.

Counselling will be arranged at a time convenient to you, and at a location of your choosing, and will not happen overnight. Adoption records take time to source and post-adoption counselling is only a small part of what today’s adoption teams do.

If you know your birth name, it is still highly beneficial to have a session or even two with a post adoption counsellor. They don’t bite and have a wealth of knowledge and experience and will not be shocked by anything they hear, nor judge how you feel. They are there to hold your hand, let them hold it.

Could a friend do the job as well as a counsellor?

You may think so, but no, a friend can listen, and up to a point understand, but what they cannot do is feel impartial. You can pretty much say anything to a counsellor and they will understand, and have probably heard it before anyway. That counsellor will always be there for you, and far better, if you get to the point of contacting a birth parent, that they make that approach, than a well meaning friend.

Second Step

Write down everything you have been told about your birth and circumstances surrounding it.

If you have accessed your file through a counselling session, then you will have information that you can note down. If you haven't, maybe it is time to get that counselling arranged. An adoption file can contain a wealth of information or very little but it is all facts with which you can work.

It must be noted that not all files contain the absolute truth. What is recorded is what the agency or social worker involved was told at the time by the parties involved.

In the case of privately arranged adoptions, information maybe hard to find, although the local authority that covers the area of the court that made the adoption order should have records, if only brief. At the very least they will have overseen your welfare supervision, and may still have the records.

Third Step

Actively register your interest in the places that birth families may have registered their desire to establish contact - if this is what you seek to achieve.

Whatever form of trying to trace your birth family you choose to use, it is a good idea to register your 'desire to know' in the appropriate place i.e. places where birth families might also look for you.

1. There are various places that can help you by registering your interest, the GRO Adoption Contact Register possibly being the best.

Before 1991, the Registrar General operated a non-statutory system of record tagging, a kind of unofficial swap system, so that counsellors could be advised of enquiries made by birth family members about an adopted person, which can then be passed on at a counselling session.

Created in 1991, the Adopted Children Register exists to put adopted people and their birth relatives in touch with each other if that is what they both wish and a relative may have registered.

The Contact Register cannot help an adopted person to learn of the whereabouts of a birth relative or to know their birth relative’s wishes unless the relative has also chosen to be entered on the Contact Register. From 30 December 2005 applicants can record a wish for specific or no contact with a named individual.

The Adoption Contact Register is in two parts and there is a one-off registration fee per entry of £15 for Part 1 and £30 for Part 2.

Part 1 of the Contact Register is for adopted adults to record their wishes for contact or no contact with birth relatives.

Part 2 of the Contact Register is for birth relatives to record their wishes for contact or no contact with the adopted person. To apply, birth relatives must satisfy the General Register Office of their relationship to the adopted person.

2. NORCAP: offers adults affected by adoption practical help and support to locate and make contact with relatives lost through adoption. Membership is available through their website.The first year’s subscription includes a registration fee of £50. NORCAP: Supporting Adults Affected by Adoption

And also:

3. The society that arranged your adoption.

4. The Local Authority Adoption Section that arranged your adoption

Sarah's Story

A fictionalised account of an adoptee's search for her birth family.

Sarah's Story

Coping with the hard facts

Once you start searching you must prepare yourself for finding things that you may find unpleasant and well as positive things. Do try and prepare yourself for the worst care scenarios, then it can only be better. Its is possible, despite what you have been led to believe, that you may have been born as a result of rape, incest or that you were in fact a foundling. Maybe you were conceived as result of an extra marital affair or your birth mother was nothing more than a child herself. All these scenarios cause different emotions which should be thought through before proceeding and again, consideration given as to the likely outcome of a reunion with a mother who gave her child for adoption in one of those 'worst case ' scenarios.

Put yourself in that birth mother’s shoes and consider again how she might have felt both then and will feel now if you re-enter her world. Maybe it will make your ability to approach her easier or harder, but either way, at least you'll know.

Coping with finding a death of a birth parent, if your aim was to meet them, can be desperately hard, and of course, can be discussed with your counsellor. After a long slog, the finding of a death can close a journey so abruptly, so again examine how you'll feel if you happen across this.

Although it's my search who else does it affect?

As has been said, it is the adoptee's search and no one else's, although other people are involved to various degrees. Their thoughts and feelings may play a part in this search; in the way you go about things and to whom you can feel comfortable talking to about it.

• Yourself. Explore what you really feel before you embark upon the search. Are you ready? If not, don't start! Don’t ever feel pressured by anyone else that it is something you have to do, you don’t have to if you don’t want to!

• Your Husband/wife/partner. It is a good idea to have a spouse/partner with you in spirit. Whilst undergoing your search there will be days, weeks even, when you feel elation or despair which will be hard to disguise or your feelings may manifest themselves as anger or jubilation, and it is far better to be in a position to share with those that love you, than to have to try to cover it up. A partner may not understand why you need to know, they don’t have to, and although it might make things more difficult emotionally, it is still considered better when they are aware that you are doing it.

• Your children. Are your children of an age to understand the concept that you are exploring? Will it confuse them as to who you are, or indeed who they are? Will it confuse them as to their loyalties if and when your search comes to fruition, as to who is who, and where they stand with whom? If you have any doubts that they will not understand the concept, keep it until they do.

• Your Adoptive parents. This is always a difficult one, and depends on how open you feel your parents were with you about your adoption. People that have had a chance to talk with their adoptive parents freely and openly over the years about the fact that they were adopted may find it easier than those for whom it was a closed subject, or indeed kept a complete secret and the adoptee has discovered rather than having been told.

If you feel you can tell your adoptive parents, it is probably better that they know. They love you and maybe able to fill in some more blanks that will help you on your way. They after all may know facts that they haven’t told you, quite simply because you haven't felt the need to ask up until now.

Adoptive parents are not a naive as we are given to believe. There are few that do not realise that this search is something their adopted child may one day want to embark upon. They may have reservations, or feel a little put out, and if so then the quieter and calmer you are about it, the better.

• Your birth family. Of course your search may have implications for them. The circumstances surrounding your birth maybe be completely in the open and common knowledge amongst subsequent husbands, partners or siblings, but of course it may not. It cannot be stressed enough, that a birth mother’s 'here and now' must be given consideration irrespective of an adoptee's needs and wants however hard that is for the adoptee. The adoptee that tries to breezes back into a birth mother’s life is likely to get a less favourable reception than one who has tactfully and quietly made an advance and respected the birth mother’s feelings and has proved by their actions that they can be discreet and diplomatic.

Sources to aid in the search for a birth parent

• The Register of Electors will soon become familiar to you, and will no doubt be searched on countless occasions. These are available only in the locality to which they are relevant. They can only be searched by address - the address at which a birth parent lived when you were born is a good start point.

• Births, Deaths and Marriages indexes. Hours spent closely examining birth death and marriage registers will soon become a time consuming interest. Record your findings and note where and when you have looked. Make notes and record every possibility just in case.

• Telephone directories/on line directories. Make a list of all the occurrences of the right name, and cross reference them with the electoral roll. Probably the last thing you would ever do is to actually telephone someone you thought to be a birth parent, but using a telephone directory to gather name occurrences is a good idea.

• My Folks Website A site to search and place messages to find family and friends in the UK. They'll not only help and advise you in your search, they'll laugh and cry with you too. They do make a charge for their services (although not just for talking and advising), which can be quite costly - this can amount to around £200.

What are the costs involved in searching?

In working out what costs will be incurred, one needs to think further than simply financial costs. Other things to consider are time, energy and emotional cost as well as monetary.

Time will have to be put aside for counselling session(s) as well as for travel to register offices and maybe even to the GRO. Research can be very time consuming, and when a critical point it reached can be 'life encompassing' and needs to be strictly disciplined so that it does not become your whole life. Never forget that your family needs you now! Do you have that time without making too many sacrifices?

Searching through Birth, Death and Marriage records costs little, if anything. What needs to be thought out is how to pay for the inevitable certificates that will be required and expenses such as travel. A telephone is a useful asset, and a very draining resource - if every last penny you can muster goes into research, something or someone is bound to suffer. Set yourself a budget and try and stick to it.

Some Useful Addresses

Office of National Statistics (ONS)

Adopted Children Register (and/or) Adoption Contact Register

Smedley Hydro

Trafalgar Road

Southport

Merseyside

PR8 2HH

Tel:01514 714 313

• British Association for Adoption & Fostering

• Natural Parents Network

• Adoption Search and Reunion

Adoption UK

46 The Green

South Bar Street

Banbury

Oxon

OX16 9AB

Tel: 01295 752240 (9am – 5pm)

Fax: 01295 752241

Helpline 0844 848 7900 (10am – 4pm)

Website: Adoption UK

Email: admin@adoptionuk.org.uk.

The General Register Office (Northern Ireland)

Oxford House

49-55 Chichester Street

Belfast

BY1 4HL

The General Register Office (Republic of Ireland)

8 - 11 Lombard Street

Dublin 2

The General Register Office (Scotland)

Adoption Unit

New Register House

Edinburgh

EH1 3YT

National Organisation for the Counselling of Adoptees and Parents (Norcap)

112 Church Road

Wheatley

Oxfordshire

OX33 1LU

Tel:01865 875 000

After Adoption

12-14 Chapel Street

Manchester

M3 7NN

Tel: 0161 839 4930

Website: After Adoption

Post Adoption Centre

8 Torriano Mews

Torriano Avenue

London

NW5 2RZ

Tel:020 7284 0555

Website: Post Adoption Centre

Public Search Rooms - Family Record Office

1 Myddleton Street

London

EC1 1UW

Tel:01704 569 824

A-Z of County/Local Council Contacts

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | XYZ

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A

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B

London Borough of Barking and Dagenham

512a Heathway

Dagenham

Essex

RM10 7SL

Tel: 020 8227 5802 or 020 8227 5949 (outside office hours – answering machine)

Website: London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council

e-mail: fostering@lbbd.gov.uk

Adoption Support Services Co-ordinator

E-mail:tom.parkes@lbbd.gov.uk

London Borough of Barnet

Adoption Team

Barnet House

1255 High Road

London

N20 0EJ

Tel: 020 8359 5701

Fax: 020 8359 5754

Website: Barnet Online - London Borough of Barnet website

e-mail: adoption@barnet.gov.uk

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Social Services Department

Wellington House

36 Wellington Street

Barnsley

Yorkshire , S70 1WA

Tel: 01226 775476

Fax: 01226 773099

Website: Barnsley MBC

e-mail: townhall@barnsley.gov.uk

Bedfordshire County Council

Social Services Department

Houghton Close

Ampthill

MK45 2TG

Tel: 01525 631043/631084

Fax: 01525 840551

Website: Bedfordshire County Council

e-mail: care@bedscc.gov.uk

Bexley Council

Children's Placement Service

Howbury Centre

Slade Green Road

Erith

Kent DA8 2HX

Tel: 020 8303 7777 ext. 3827/3830

Website: Child Placements Service

e-mail: adoption&fostering@bexley.gov.uk

Birmingham City Council

Adoption Recruitment

203 Corporation Street

Birmingham

B4 6SE

Tel: 0121 303 7575

Website: Adoption and Fostering - We Need You!

Email: A&FRecruit@birmingham.gov.uk

Blackburn with Darwen Council

Social Services Department

Jubilee House

Jubilee Street

Blackburn , BB1 1ET

Tel: 0800 328 6919

Fax: 01254 587318

Website: Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

e-mail: familyplacement@blackburn.gov.uk

Blackpool Borough Council

Housing & Social Services Department

Progress House

Clifton Road

Blackpool FY4 4US

Tel: 01253 477477

Website: Blackpool Council - Home

e-mail: Fosteringandadoption@blackpool.gov.uk

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Social Services Department

Woodlands

Manchester Road

Bolton , BL3 2PQ

Tel: 01204 337840

Fax: 01204 337489

Website: Children's Services

e-mail: bolton@bolton.gov.uk

Bournemouth Borough Council

The Family Placement Team

Maxwell Road Depot

Maxwell Road

Winton

Bournemouth BH9 1DL

Tel: 01202 456743

Fax: 01202 451000

Website: Welcome to Bournemouth Borough Council Online

e-mail: adoption@bournemouth.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Borough Council

Bracknell Family Placement Team

Time Square

Market Street

Bracknell , Berkshire , RG12 1JD

Tel: 01344 351 582

Fax: 01344 351 521

Minicom: 01344 352 045 (text phone via the general switchboard)

Website: Bracknell Forest Borough Council

e-mail: family.placement@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bradford City Council

Social Services Department Adoption Team

Aire Building

35 Saltaire Road

Shipley

West Yorkshire

BD18 3HH

Service Advice line : 01274 437343

Recruitment Hotline : 01274 434331

Fax: 01274 740456

Website: Bradford Council

London Borough of Brent

Chesterfield House

9 Park Lane

Wembley

Middlesex , HA9 7RW

Tel: 020 8937 4522/4525

Fax: 020 8937 4520

Website: Welcome to Brent Council

e-mail: customerservices@brent.gov.uk

Brighton and Hove Council

Fostering and Adoption Team

253 Preston Road

Brighton , BN1 6SE

Tel: 01273 295444

Fax: 01273 295445

King's House

Grand Avenue

Hove , BN3 2LS

Tel: 01273 295031

Website: Fostering & Adoption

e-mail: fostering@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Bristol City Council

Social Services Department

Family Placement Team (Recruitment)

Social Services and Health

Avonvale Road

Redfield

Bristol BS5 9RJ

Tel: 0117 954 8545

Fax: 0117 941 2103

Minicom: 0117 954 8548

Website: Bristol City Council

London Borough of Bromley

Bromley Social Services & Housing

Joseph Lancaster Hall

Civic Centre

Bromley

Kent BR1 3UH

Tel: 020 8313 4193

Fax: 020 8313 4086

Website: Bromley Council

e-mail: fostering&adoption@bromley.gov.uk

Buckinghamshire County Council

Adoption & Permanence Team

Social Services Department

Council Offices

King George V Road

Amersham

Bucks, HP6 5BN

Tel: 01494 732134

Fax: 01494 732749

Post Adoption Team

Social Services Department

County Hall

Aylesbury

Bucks, HP20 1YU

Tel: 01296 387935

Fax: 01296 383182

Website: Fostering

e-mail: enquiries@buckscc.gov.uk

Bury Metropolitan Borough Council

Personal and Community Services

Social Services Department

Accommodation Services

18/20 St Mary's Place

Bury, BL9 0DZ

Tel: 0161 253 5457

Fax: 0161 253 5466

Website: Bury Metropolitan Borough Council

e-mail: FosteringandAdoption@bury.gov.uk

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C

Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale

Adoption & Permanence Team

Calderdale Social Services

Ovenden Hall

Ovenden Road

Halifax HX3 5QG

Tel:01422 353279

Fax: 01422 323287

Website: www.calderdale.gov.uk

e-mail: enquiries.socserv@calderdale.gov.uk

Cambridgeshire County Council

Fostering & Adoption Services ( Cambridge , South & East Cambs )

18 - 20 Signet Court

Swann's Road

Cambridge CB5 8LA

Freephone number:0800 052 0078

Duty:01223 718388

Fax: 01223 718656

Fostering & Adoption Services (Huntingdon & Fenland)

Buttsgrove Centre

38 Buttsgrove Way

Huntingdon

Cambs PE29 1LY

Freephone number:0800 052 0078

Tel:01480 376404

Fax: 01480 376409

Intercountry Adoption:

18 - 20 Signet Court

Swann's Road

Cambridge CB5 8LA

Telephone:01223 718417

Website:www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

e-mail: Stephanie.Bishop@socserv.camcnty.gov.uk or :Sue.Gunns@socserv.camcnty.gov.uk

London Borough of Camden

Adoption Team

115 Wellesley Road

London , NW5 4PA

Tel:020 7974 6165 ( 9.00 am to 5.00pm weekdays)

Fax: 020 7974 6799

Website: www.camden.gov.uk

e-mail: info@camden.gov.uk

Cheshire County Council

Family Placement Service

FREEPOST NATE1105

Chester CH1 1ZZ

Adoption Hotline:01244 602222

Website: www.adoptionincheshire.co.uk

e-mail: adoption@cheshire.gov.uk

Corporation of London

Community Services Department

PO Box 270

Guildhall

London

EC2P 2EJ

Tel:020 7332 1224

Website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

Cornwall County Council

Adoption and Family Finding Unit

13 Treyew Road

Truro , TR1 2BY

Tel:01872 270251

Fax:01872 260557 or 01872 270340

Website: www.cornwall.gov.uk

e-mail: SSD.adoption@cornwall.gov.uk

Coventry City Council

Family Placement Service

Stoke House

Lloyd Crescent

Wyken

Coventry CV2 5NY

Tel:024 7665 9504

Fax: 024 7665 9004

Website: www.coventry.gov.uk

e -mail: familyplacementservice@coventry.gov.uk

London Borough of Croydon

Adoption Team

Social Services Department

Taberner House

Park Lane

Croydon, CR9 2BA

Tel:0800 389 0129

Fax: 020 8760 5665

Website: www.croydon.gov.uk

e-mail: child.care@croydon.gov.uk

Cumbria County Council

3 Victoria Place

Carlisle , CA1 1EH

Tel:01228 606060

Fax: 01228 606327

Website: www.cumbria.gov.uk

e-mail: information@cumbriacc.gov.uk

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D

Darlington Borough Council

Adoption Team

Central House

Gladstone Street

Social Services Department

Town Hall

Darlington

Co Durham , DL31 6JX5QT

Tel:01325 346227 0191 386 3719

Fax: 01325 346474

Website: www.darlington.gov.uk

e-mail: DFWadoption@aol.com

Derby City Council

Adoption Team,

Social Services,

Perth Street Office,

Derby DE21 6XX

Tel: 01332 718000

Fax: 01332 256154

Website: www.derby.gov.uk

Derbyshire County Council

Social Services Department

County Hall

Matlock

Derbyshire , DE4 3AG

Tel: 01629 772205 (9.00am–12.30pm weekdays)

Fax: 01629 585995

Website: www.derbyshire.gov.uk

e-mail: call.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk

Devon County Council

South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon districts

Adoption Unit,

Foxhole

Dartington

Totnes

Devon TQ9 6EB

Tel:01803 869038

Fax:01392 386609

Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon districts

Adoption Unit

Ivybank

45 St David's Hill

Exeter , EX4 4DN

Tel: 01392 384968

Fax: 01392 384984

North Devon and Torridge district

Adoption Unit

20 St Georges Road

Barnstaple EX32 7AU

Tel:01271 388069

Fax:01271 388079

Website: www.devon.gov.uk

e-mail: adoption@devon.gov.uk

Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

Social Services Department

PO Box 251

The Council House

College Road

Doncaster

South Yorkshire , DN1 3DA

Tel: 01302 737968 or 01302 737059

Fax: 01302 736673

Website: www.doncaster.gov.uk

e-mail: adoption@doncaster.gov.uk

Dorset County Council

East Dorset Area Adoption and Fostering address:

Pippins

Hanham Road

Wimborne

Dorset

BH21 1AS

Tel: 01202 889969

West Dorset Area Adoption and Fostering address:

Acland Road

Dorchester

Dorset

DT1 1SH

Tel: 01305 251414

Policy queries

Social Services Directorate Dorset

County Hall

Colliton Park

Dorchester DT1 1XJ

Tel: 01305 224389

Website: www.dorsetforyou.com

e-mail: socialcare@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council

Social Services Department

Ednam House

1 St James Road

Dudley

West Midlands DY1 3JJ

Tel:01384 815891

Website: www.dudley.gov.uk

Durham County Council

Social Care and Health

Fostering and Adoption

Durham Resource Centre

Littleburn Business Centre

Mill Road

Langley Centre

County Durham DH7 8ET

Tel: 0191 370 6100

Fax: 0191 383 4500

Website: www.durham.gov.uk

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E

East Sussex County Council

Adoption Services

Social Services Department

St Mary's House

52 St Leonard 's Road

Eastbourne

East Sussex BN21 3UU

Tel:01323 747154

Fax:01323 747426

Website: www.eastsussexcc.gov.uk

e-mail: information.line@eastsussexcc.gov.uk

London Borough of Enfield

Social Services Office

Southgate Town Hall

Green Lanes

Palmers Green

London N13 4XD

Tel:020 8379 8490

Fax:020 8379 2699

Website: www.enfield.gov.uk/adoption/index.html

e-mail: Ingrid.perkins@enfield.gov.uk

Essex County Council

The Central Adoption Team

Eckard House

Easton Road

Witham

Essex CM8 2DW

Telephone:01376 516767

Fax:01376 515891

Website: www.essexcc.gov.uk

e-mail: myrna.fahie@essexcc.gov.uk

If you live in Chelmsford, Basildon, Rochford, or Castle Point

Families for Children (South Team)

Essex Adoption Service

Ely House

Ely Way

Basildon

Essex SS14 2BQ

Tel:01268 643282

Fax:01268 643202

If you live in Colchester, Tendring, Maldon or Braintree

Families for Children (East Team)

Rose House

St Albrights

1 London Road

Stanway

Colchester

Essex CO3 5NS

Tel:01206 714650

Fax:01206 369113

If you live in Harlow, Epping, Uttlesford or Brentwood

Families for Children (West Team)

No 5 Astra Centre

Edinburgh Way

Harlow

Essex CM20 2BE

Tel:01279 437994

Fax:01279 432477

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Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council

The Adoption Team

Learning and Children

Gateshead Council

Council Offices

Prince Consort Road

Gateshead

Tyne and Wear NE8 4HJ

Tel:0191 433 8333

Website:www.gateshead.gov.uk/socserv/fostering.htm

e-mail:adoptionandfostering@gateshead.gov.uk

Gloucestershire County Council

The Adoption Team

Sandford Park House

39-41 London Road

Cheltenham

Gloucestershire

Tel:01242 532 597

Website:www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/adoption

e-mail:adoption@gloucestershire.gov.uk

London Borough of Greenwich

Adoption Team

147 Powis Street

Woolwich

London , SE18 6JL

Tel:020 8921 2752

Fax:020 8921 2790

Website: www.greenwichkids.org.uk

e-mail:adoption@greenwich.gov.uk

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London Borough of Hackney

Adoption and Fostering

205 Morning Lane

London E9 6JX

Tel:0800 0730 418

Fax:020 8356 4072

Website:www.hackney.gov.uk/socialservices/soc-cfs.htm

e-mail:info@hackney.gov.uk

Halton Borough Council

Halton Adoption & Fostering Services

Halton Borough Council (covering Runcorn & Widnes in Cheshire)

Grosvenor House

Halton Lea

Runcorn WA7 2ED

Tel:01928 704 360

Fax:01928 704 378

Website: www.halton.gov.uk

e-mail: adoption&fostering@halton-borough.gov.uk

London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham

Adoption Team

2nd Floor

Barclay House

Effie Road

London SW6 1EN

Tel:0800 169 3497

Fax:020 8576 5078

Website: www.lbhf.gov.uk

e-mail: information@lbhf.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council

Non-relative adoptions & Intercountry Adoptions

County Adoption Team

Hamble Cottage

Glen Road

Swanwick

Southampton SO31 7HD

Tel:01489 587000

Fax:01489 587015

Post Adoption

County Adoption Services

Glen House

Glen Road

Swanwick

Southampton SO31 7HD

Tel:01489 587543 or 587548

Fax:01489 575594

Website: www.hants.gov.uk/hcc

Haringey Council

4th Floor

40 Cumberland Road

Wood Green

London N22 7SG

Tel:020 8489 3774

Fax:020 8489 3299

Website:www.haringey.gov.uk

e-mail: sandra.smith@haringey.gov.uk and sarah.peel@haringey.gov.uk

London Borough of Harrow

Family Placement Service

Harrow People First

429 – 433 Pinner Road

North Harrow HA1 4HN

Tel 020 8863 0166 or 020 8863 5544

Fax:020 8424 8045

Website: www.harrow.gov.uk

e-mail: adoption@harrow.gov.uk

Hartlepool Borough Council

Aneurin Bevan House

35 Avenue Road

Hartlepool

Cleveland , TS24 8HD

Tel:01429 523926

Fax:01429 523906

Website:www.hartlepool.gov.uk

e-mail:ray.morris@hartlepool.gov.uk

London Borough of Havering

Family Placement Service

Midland House

109-113 Victoria Road

Romford

Essex RM1 2LX

Tel:01708 434577

Website:www.havering.gov.uk

e-mail:info@havering.gov.uk

Herefordshire Council

Team Manager (Adoption)

The Children's Resource Team

Moor House

Widemarsh Common

Herefordshire HR4 9NA

Tel:01432 262835

Fax:01432 279096

Website:www.herefordshire.gov.uk

e-mail:ssh_adoption@herefordshire.gov.uk

Hertfordshire County Council

Social Services Department

County Hall

Hertford SG13 8DP

Area teams:

Adoption Team ( East Herts ):

16 Warren Park Road

Bengeo

Hertfordshire SG14 3JD

Tel:01992 509 437

Adoption Team ( West Herts ):

Old Parkway School

Parkway

Welwyn Garden City

Hertfordshire AL8 6JD

Tel:01707 897 654

Website:www.hertsdirect.org

e-mail:hertsdirect@hertscc.gov.uk

London Borough of Hillingdon

Fostering and Adoption Team

Children's Resources

855 Uxbridge Road

Hayes

Middlesex, UB4 8HZ

Tel:01895 277850 ( 9.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday to Friday)

Fax:01895 277851

Website:www.hillingdon.gov.uk

e-mail:bvenn@hillingdon.gov.uk

London Borough of Hounslow

The Permanent Placement Team

The Civic Centre

Lampton Road

Hounslow TW3 4DN

Tel:020 8583 3437

Fax:020 8583 3444

Website:www.hounslow.gov.uk

e-mail:adoptioninfo.sshp@hounslow.gov.uk

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Isle of Wight County Council

Jennie Dix -Team Manager

Adoption Services

Isle of Wight Council

St James's Centre

4&5 St James's Street

Newport

Isle of Wight PO30 5HE

Tel:01983 814370/ 01983 821000

Fax:01983 612918

Website:www.southcoastadoption.co.uk

e-mail:jennie.dix@iow.gov.uk

London Borough of Islington

Islington Adoption Service

12 Highbury Crescent

London N5 1RN

Tel:020 7527 4400

Fax:020 7527 4401

Website:www.islington.gov.uk/adoption

e-mail:adoption@islington.gov.uk

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Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea

Social Services Children and Families Service

140 Ladbroke Grove

Westway Information Centre, London W10 5ND

Tel:020 7598 4444

Website:www.rbkc.gov.uk

e-mail:Adopt-FosterUs@rbkc.gov.uk

Kent County Council

East Kent Team

Kroner House

Eurogate Business Park

Ashford

Kent TN24 8XU

Tel:01233 898630/1/2/3

Fax:01233 898638

West Kent Team

17 Kings Hill Avenue

Kings Hill

West Malling

Kent ME19 4UL

Tel:01732 525323

Fax:01732 525315

Intercountry & Adoption Panels Information

Maidstone Local Office

Bishops Terrace

Bishops Way

Maidstone

Kent ME14 1LA

Tel:01622 691640

Fax:01622 693782

e-mail:adoption.panel@kent.gov.uk

Kent Post Adoption Service

NCH Action for Children

12 Romney Place

Maidstone

Kent ME15 6LE

Tel:01622 683772

Fax:01622 683772

e-mail:sekpas@mail.nch.org.uk

Website:www.nch.org.uk

Kent general adoption website: www.KENTADOPTION.com

e-mail:adoption@kent.gov.uk

Kingston Upon Hull City Council

The Adoption Service

Gleneagles Centre

East Carr Road

Hull HU8 8LB

Tel:01482 300300 – ask for Adoption Service

Fax:01482 789282

Website:www.hullcc.gov.uk/adoption

e-mail:adoption @hullcc.gov.uk

Royal Borough of Kingston Upon Thames

Community Services Department

Royal Kingston

Guildhall, High Street

Kingston-Upon-Thames

Surrey ,KT1 1EU

Tel:020 8547 6042

Fax:020 8547 5846

Website:www.kingston.gov.uk/adoptionandfostering

e-mail:famplacduty@rbk.kingston.gov.uk

Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Fostering and Adoption of Children

Kirklees Family Placement Unit

Westfields

Westfields Road

Mirfield

West Yorkshire WF14 9PW

Tel:0800 389 0086 / 01924 483707

Fax:01924 483720

Website:www.kirkleesmc.gov.uk

e-mail:family.placement@kirklees.gov.uk

Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley

Knowsley Adoption and Fostering Services

Astley House

Astley Road

Huyton

Liverpool L36 8HY

Tel:0151 443 3958

Website:www.knowsley.gov.uk

e-mail:adoptionfostering@knowsley.gov.uk

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London Borough of Lambeth

Children's Resource Centre

392-4 Brixton Road

London SW9 7AW

Tel:0800 952 2926

Fax:0207 926 8537

Website:www.lambeth.gov.uk

e-mail:infoservice@lambeth.gov.uk

Lancashire County Council

Morecambe Bay

(covering the District Council area of Lancaster )

Permanent Placement Team

White Cross

Lancaster LA1 4XQ

Tel:01524 566246

Fax:01524 585624

North West Lancashire

(covering the District Council areas of Preston , Fylde and Wyre)

Permanent Placement Team

Unit 21/22

Navigation Business Village

Ashton On Ribble

Preston PR2 2YP

Tel:01772 769111

Fax:01772 769666

South Lancashire

(covering the District Council areas of South Ribble, Chorley and West Lancashire)

Permanent Placement Team

Bamber Bridge DSO

Brindle Road

Bamber Bridge, PR5 6RT

Tel:01772 904650

Fax:01772 532504

East Lancashire

(covering the District Council areas of Hyndburn, Ribble Valley , Pendle, Burnley and :Rossendale)

Permanent Placement Team

Fernbank

210 Coal Clough Lane

Burnley BB11 1HW

Tel:01282 423927

Fax:01282 451234

Headquarters

Lancashire Social Services Directorate

Children & Families Service

East Cliff County Offices

PO Box 162

Preston PR1 3EA

Tel:01772 534825

Fax:01772 534425

Website:www.lancashire.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@socserv.lancscc.gov.uk

Leeds City Council

Department of Social Services

Fostering and Adoption

3rd Floor West Merrion House

Leeds LS2 8QB

Tel:0113 2474747

Freephone:0800 801900 (Information packs request service)

Fax:0113 2478695

Website:www.leeds.gov.uk/adoption

e-mail:ss.fostering.and.adoption@leeds.gov.uk

Leicester City Council

Adoption Team for Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and Rutland :County Council Social Services Departments

Eagle House

11 Friar Lane

Leicester LE1 5RB

Tel:0116 299 5899

Fax:0116 299 5900

Website:www.leicester.gov.uk

e-mail:andrf001@leicester.gov.uk

Leicestershire County Council

Adoption Team

Fostering and Adoption Centre

Eagle House

11 Friar Lane

Leicester LE1 5RB

Tel:0116 299 5899

Fax:0116 299 5900

Website:www.leics.gov.uk

e-mail:social-services@leics.gov.uk

London Borough of Lewisham

Adoption Service

St Paul's House

125 Deptford High Street

London SE8 4NS

Tel:0800 587 7392

Fax:020 8314 3025

Website:www.lewisham.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption.info@lewisham.gov.uk

Lincolnshire County Council

Social Services Department

Wigford House

Brayford Wharf East

Lincoln LN5 7BH

Tel:01522 554066

Freephone:0800 093099

Website:www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/section.asp?catld=1972

e-mail:Fosteringandadoption@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Liverpool City Council

Social Services Department

26 Hatton Garden

Liverpool L3 2AW

Tel:0151 233 3029

Website:www.liverpool.gov.uk

e-mail:Liverpool.direct@liverpool.gov.uk

Luton Borough Council

Adoption Team, Children and Learning Department

Unity House

111 Stuart Street

LUTON , LU1 5NP

Tel:01582 547568

Fax:01582 547734

Website:www.luton.gov.uk

e-mail:Adoptions@luton.gov.uk

M

Manchester City Council

Recruitment/Assessment and Family Placement

102 Manchester Road

Chorlton

Manchester M21 9SZ

Tel:0161 8810911 or 0161 8607666 (answer phone)

Fax:0161 8810051

Website:http://www.manchester.gov.uk/ssd/chi...g/adoption/htm

e-mail:familyduty@manchester.gov.uk

Medway Council

The Adoption Team

Health and Community Services, Compass Centre Chatham Maritime

Chatham

Kent ME4 4YH

Tel:01634 331263

Minicom:01634 333111

Website:www.medway.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@medway.gov.uk

London Borough of Merton

Civic Centre

London Road

Morden

Surrey SM4 5DX

Tel:020 8545 4340

Website:www.merton.gov.uk

e-mail:JustAsk@merton.gov.uk

Middlesbrough Family Placement Team

Sandringham House

170a Overdale Road

Middlesbrough , TS3 7EA

Tel:01642 300870

Fax:01642 300849

Website:www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

e-mail:family_placement@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Milton Keynes Council

Adoption and Permanence Team

Children's Services

Saxon Court

502 Avebury Boulevard

Central Milton Keynes

MK9 3HS

Tel:01908 253443 or 253596

Fax:01908 253251

Website:www.mkweb.co.uk

e-mail:info@milton-keynes.gov.uk

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City of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

The Adoption Unit

Social Services Directorate

Shieldfield Centre

4 - 8 Clarence Walk

Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE2 1AL

Tel:0191 278 8200

Fax:0191 278 8188

Website:www.newcastle.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@newcastle.gov.uk

London Borough of Newham

Family Placement Unit

46 Clova Road

Forest Gate

London E7 9AH

Tel:0800 783 6388

Website:www.newham.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption/teamduty@newham.gov.uk

Norfolk County Council

The Adoption Unit

3 Unthank Road

Norwich , NR2 2PA

Tel:01603 617796

Fax:01603 615557

Website:www.norfolk.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption.unit@norfolk.gov.uk

North East Lincolnshire Council

The Adoption Service

St James House

St James Square

Grimsby

North East Lincs DN31 1EP

Tel:01472 325555

Fax:01472 325605

Website:www.nelincs.gov.uk

e- mail:fosteringandadoption@nelincs.gov.uk

North Lincolnshire Council

Adoption and Fostering Team

The Grove

38 West Street

Scawby

Brigg

North Lincolnshire DN20 9AN

Tel:01652 656005

Website:www.northlincs.gov.uk

e-mail:customerservice@northlincs.gov.uk

North Somerset District Council

Adoption and Fostering Team

Housing and Social Services Department

Town Hall

Weston-Super-Mare

BS23 1ZY

Tel:01275 888999

Fax:01934 641119

Website:www.n-somerset.gov.uk

e-mail:adoptionandfostering@n-somerset.gov.uk

North Tyneside Council

Family Placement Team

Camden House

Camden Street

North Shields

Tyne & Wear

NE30 1NW

Tel:0191 200 6161

Fax:0191 200 8945

Website:www.northtyneside.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@northtyneside.gov.uk

North Yorkshire County Council

Social Services Department

County Hall

Northallerton DL7 8DD

Tel:0800 389 2362 Ext: 2628

Fax:01609 778199

Website:www.northyorks.gov.uk

Northamptonshire County Council

Adoption Services

Northamptonshire County Council

Norborough House

Coverack Close

Northampton NN4 8PQ

Tel:01604 704704

Website:www.northamptonshire.gov.uk

e-mail:a&f@northamptonshire.gov.uk

Northumberland County Council

Family Support and Placement Service

Tweed House

Hepscott Park

Morpeth

Northumberland NE61 6NF

Tel:01670 534450

Fax:01670 534451

Website:www.northumberland.gov.uk

e-mail:webenquiries@northumberland.gov.uk

Nottingham City Council

Fostering and Adoption Service

126 Mansfield Road

Social Services Department

4 Handsgate

Nottingham NG1 3HL

Tel:0115 915 1234

Website:www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk

e-mail:info@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

Nottinghamshire County Council

Forever Families

Nottinghamshire Adoption Service

Chadburn House

Weighbridge Road

Littleworth

Mansfield

Nottinghamshire

NG18 1AH

Telephone:0845 301 2288

Fax:01623 476875

Website:www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@nottscc.gov.uk

Support After Adoption ( Nottinghamshire & Nottingham City post adoption team)

Melrose House

Waverley Street

Nottingham

NG7 4HF

Tel:0115 978 7376

Office:0115 978 5547

e-mail:support.afteradoption@nottscc.gov.uk

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Metropolitan Borough of Oldham

Oldham Family Placement Team

Childrens Central Resources

Marian Walker House

Frederick Street

Oldham OL1 8SW

Tel:0161 626 4947

Fax:0161 627 4969

Website:www.oldham.gov.uk/adoption/index.htm

e-mail:socs.family.placement@oldham.gov.uk

Oxfordshire County Council

Customer Services Unit

Yarnton House

Rutten Lane

Yarnton

Oxon OX5 1LP

Tel:01865 375515

Fax:01865 841666

Area numbers:

North Oxfordshire and Witney 01295 756438

In and around Oxford 01865 815347

South Oxfordshire 01235 549351

Website:www.oxfordshire.gov.uk

e-mail:shc@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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Peterborough City Council

Adoption & Fostering Team

Suite 6 Staniland Court

Staniland Way

Werrington

Peterborough PE4 6NJ

Tel:01733 746182

Fax:01733 746196

Website:www.peterborough.gov.uk/services

e-mail:kate.hinchliff@peterborough.gov.uk

Poole Borough Council

Adoption and Fostering Team

14a Commercial Road

Poole

Dorset BH14 0JW

Tel:01202 261501

Fax:01202 714710

Website:www.poole.gov.uk

e-mail:childrenandfamilies@poole.gov.uk

Portsmouth City Council

Domestic Adoption

Portsmouth Adoption team

12 Chaucer House

Isambard Brunel Road

Portsmouth PO1 2DR

Tel:023 9283 2244

Intercountry adoption

Portsmouth Social Services,

lst Floor, Civic Offices

Guildhall Square

Portsmouth PO1 2EP

Tel:023 9284 1626

Post Adoption Helpline:023 9283 2288

Website:www.portsmouth.gov.uk

E-mail:cherry.harnott@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

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Reading Borough Council

Fostering and Adoption Team

Social Services Department

Civic Centre

Reading RG1 7TD

Tel:0118 955 3740

Fax:0118 955 3746

Website: http://www.reading.gov.uk/healthands...emes/adoption/

e-mail: adoption@reading.org.uk

London Borough of Redbridge

Adoption and Fostering

Station Road

Barkingside

Essex IG6 1NB

Tel:020 8708 7460 (or 020 8708 7528 after office hours)

Fax:020 8708 7887

Website:www.redbridgekids.org.uk

e-mail:customer.cc@redbridge.gov.uk

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Social Services Department

Permanency Team

Grosmont Resource Centre

20 Grosmont Close

Redcar TS10 4PJ

Tel:01642 495910

Fax:01642 491630

Website:www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

e-mail:joanne-gilroy@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk

London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames

Adoption and Fostering Team

42 York Road

Twickenham , TW1 3BW

Tel:020 8891 7754

Fax:020 8891 7962

Website:www.richmond.gov.uk

e-mail:children.families@richmond.gov.uk

Rochdale Council

Rochdale Family Placement Team – Child Care Service

Foxholes House

Foxholes Road

Rochdale OL12 OED

Tel:01706 710750

Fax:01706 715033

Website:www.rochdale.gov.uk

e-mail:familyplacements@rochdale.gov.uk

Rotherham Borough Council

Family Placement Team

4 th Floor

Crinoline House

Effingham House

Rotherham

South Yorkshire S65 1AW

Tel:01709 823963

Fax:01709 828561

Website:www.rotherham.gov.uk

e-mail: rosie.barber@rotherham.gov.uk

Rutland Council

See the entry under Leicester City Council

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Salford City Council

City of Salford

Community & Social Services Directorate

Family Placement Team

Avon House

Avon Close

Little Hulton

Salford M28 0LA

Tel:0161 799 1268 (Recruitment hotline)

Website:www.salford.gov.uk

e-mail:family.recruitment@salford.gov.uk

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Family Placement Service

1 st Floor Crystal House

1-7 Crystal Drive

Sandwell Business Park

Smethwick B66 1QG

Tel:0845 352 8609

Fax:0845 352 8626

Website:www.sandwell.gov.uk

e-mail:childcare@sandwell.gov.uk

Metropolitan Borough of Sefton

Social Care Customer Access Team

7 th Floor, Merton House

Stanley Road

Bootle L20 3UU

Tel:0151 934 3737

Fax:0151 934 3739

Website:www.sefton.gov.uk

e-mail:SocialCare.CustomerAccessTeam@social....sefton.gov.uk

Sheffield Metropolitan City Council

Family Placement Service (Fostering and Adoption)

2nd Floor

Castle Market Buildings

Exchange Street

Sheffield S1 2AH

Tel:0114 273 5075

Website:www.sheffield.gov.uk

e-mail:familyplacementservices@sheffield.gov.uk

Shropshire County Council

( Joint venture with Telford & Wrekin Council)

Observer House

Holywell Street

Abbey Foregate

Shrewsbury SY2 6BL

Tel:01743 241915

Fax:01743 248639

Website:www.shropshireonline.gov.uk

e-mail:Catherine.Warner@shropshire-cc.gov.uk

Slough Borough Council

Fostering and Adoption Teams

Slough Social Services

Town Hall

Bath Road

Slough SL1 3UQ

Tel:01753 690960

Fax:01753 690964

Website:www.slough.gov.uk/LifeFamilyHome/children.asp

e-mail:fostering-adoption@slough.gov.uk

Metropolitan Borough of Solihull

Adoption and Placements Team

Education and Children's Services

Jubilee House

655 Auckland Drive

Smith's Wood

Solihull West Midlands B36 0SN

Tel:0121 749 8100

Website:www.solihull.gov.uk

e-mail:Ssplace@solihull.gov.uk

Somerset County Council

Social Services Department

County Hall

Taunton

Somerset TA1 4DY

Tel:0800 587 9900 or 0800 317220

Website:www.somerset.gov.uk

e-mail:somersetdirect@somerset.gov.uk

South Gloucestershire Council

The Family Placement Team

The Heath Resource Centre

2a Newton Road

Cadbury Heath

South Gloucestershire BS30 8EZ

Tel:01454 866423

Fax:01454 866261

Website:www.southglos.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@southglos.gov.uk

Metropolitan Borough of South Tyneside

Adoption Service

16 Barrington Street

South Shields

Tyne and Wear NE33 1AN

Tel:0191 4238500 or 0845 2309616

Fax:0191 4238510

Website:www.s-tyneside-mbc.gov.uk

e-mail:terry.fitzpatrick@s-tyneside-mbc.gov.uk

Southampton City Council

Adoption Services

399 Hinkler Road

Thornhill,

Southampton SO19 6DS

Tel 023 8044 6450

Fax:023 8043 8535

Website:www.southampton.gov.uk

e-mail:diane.ferry@southampton.gov.uk

Southend Council

Family Finders

283 London Road

Southend-On-Sea SS0 7BX

Tel:01702 354366

Website:www.southend.gov.uk

e-mail:MickHamblion@southend.gov.uk

London Borough of Southwark

Adoption and Permanence Team

47b East Dulwich Road

London SE22 9BZ

Tel:020 7525 4488

Fax:020 7525 4449

Website:www.southwark.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption @southwark.gov.uk

St Helens Council

Adoption and Foster Care Service

73 Corporation Street

St Helens

Merseyside WA10 1SX

Tel:01744 456 526

Fax:01744 611550

Website:www.sthelens.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@sthelens.gov.uk

Staffordshire County Council

Family Placement Service

Stafford Area Office

Madford Retail Park

Foregate Street

Stafford ST16 2PA

Website:www.care4child.org

e-mail:info@care4child.org

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Social Services Division Family Placement Team

Reddish Green Centre

St Elizabeth's Way

Reddish

Stockport SK5 6BL

Tel:0161 947 4646

Fax:0161 4421437

Website:http://www.stockport.gov.uk/councils...serv/fostering

e-mail:familyplacement@stockport.gov.uk

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Social Serv ices Department

Billingham Council Offices

Town Centre

Billingham TS23 2LW

Tel:01642 526218

Fax:01642 397147

Website:www.stockton.gov.uk

e-mail:child.placement@stockton.gov.uk

Stoke on Trent City Council

Social Services Adoption Team

Heron Cross House

Grove Road

Fenton

Stoke on Trent ST4 3AY

Tel:01782 234555

Fax:01782 234556

Website:www.stoke.gov.uk

e-mail:heroncross.house@stoke.gov.uk

Suffolk County Council

Suffolk Adoption Agency

The Principal's House

Stoke Road

Thorndon

Near Eye

Suffolk IP23 7JG

Tel:0800 389 9417 or 01379 672750

Website:www.suffolk.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@socserv.suffolk.gov.uk

City of Sunderland

Adoption Agency

Services for Looked After Children

Penshaw House

Station Road

Shiney Row

Houghton-le-Spring, DH4 7LB

Social Services Department

50 Fawcett Street

Sunderland SR1 1RF

Tel:0191 382 3108

Fax:0191 382 3165

Website:www.sunderland.gov.uk

e-mail:enquiries@sunderland.gov.uk

Surrey County Council

Adoption & Permanency Service

Belair House

Chertsey Boulevard

Hanworth Lane

Chertsey

Surrey KT16 9JX

Tel:01932 794340

Fax:01932 794380

Website:www.surrey.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@surreycc.gov.uk

London Borough of Sutton

Adoption and Fostering Service

The Lodge

Honeywood Walk

Carshalton

Surrey SM5 3NX

Tel:020 8770 4477

Website:www.sutton.gov.uk

e-mail:katherine.giles@sutton.gov.uk

Swindon Borough Council

Social Services Department

Civic Offices

Euclid Street

Swindon SN1 2JH

Tel:01793 465700

Website:www.swindon.gov.uk

e-mail: familyplacement@swindon.gov.uk

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Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council

The Adoption and Permanency Team

Tameside Social Services

56 Warrington Street

Ashton-under-Lyne

Lancashire OL6 7JX

Tel:0161 342 4162

Website:www.tameside.gov.uk/tmbc/adoptpractice.htm

e-mail:adoption@mail.tameside.gov.uk

Telford & Wrekin Council (Joint venture with Shropshire County Council)

Observer House

Holywell Street

Abbey Foregate

Shrewsbury SY2 6BL

Tel:01743 241915

Fax:01743 248639

Website:www.shropshire.gov.uk

e-mail:Catherine.Warner@shropshire-cc.gov.uk

Thurrock Council

Family Placement Team

Civic Offices

New Road

Grays RM17 6TJ

Tel:01375 652617/8

Website:www.thurrock.gov.uk

e-mail:fostering.adoption@thurrock.gov.uk

Torbay Borough Council

Adoption and Planning Service

Children's Services

Parkfield House

38 Esplanade Road

Paignton TQ3 2NH

Tel:01803 402752

Website:www.torbay.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption.team@torbay.gov.uk

London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Family Placement Unit

Woodstock Terrace

117 Poplar High Street

London E14 0AE

Tel:0800 279 9850

Fax:020 7364 2277

Website:www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

Adoption Team

The Resource Centre

71a Northenden Road

Sale M33 2DG

Tel:0161 912 3511/2/4/5

Fax:0161 912 5027

Website:www.trafford.gov.uk

e-mail:Kelly.catherine@trafford.gov.uk

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City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council

Family Placement Team

6 Springfield Grange

Flanshaw

Wakefield WF2 9QP

Tel:01924 302166

Fax:01924 302168

Website:www.wakefield.gov.uk

e-mail:info@adoption-fostering.org.uk

Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council

Duty Officer

Family Placement Service

106 Essington Road

New Invention

Willenhall

West Midlands WV12 5DT

Tel:01922 710751

Fax:01922 409719

Website:www.walsall.gov.uk

e-mail:familyplacementservices@walsall.gov.uk

London Borough of Waltham Forest

Fostering and Adoption Service,

1c The Drive

Walthamstow

London E17 3BN

Tel:020 8496 1588

Fax:020 8496 2476

Website:www.lbwf.gov.uk

e-mail:fosteringadoption@soc.lbwf.gov.uk

London Borough of Wandsworth

Social Services Department

Welbeck House

43-51 Wandsworth High Street

London SW18 2PU

Tel:020 8871 7261 (duty)

Fax:020 8871 8550

Website:www.careline.org.uk

e-mail:adoptionandfostering@wandsworth.gov.uk

Warrington Borough Council

Warrington Borough Council

Adoption and Fostering Services

St Werburghs l

Irwell Road

Warrington

Cheshire WA4 6BB

Tel:01925 444100/457085

Fax:01925 444276

Website:www.warrington.gov.uk

e-mail:fostering.adoption@warrington.gov.uk

Warwickshire County Council

Fostering and Adoption Development Team

Faraday Hall

Lower Hillmorton Road

Rugby CV21 3TU

Tel:01926 413313

Fax:01926 413344

Website:www.warwickshire.gov.uk/adoption

e-mail:fosteringadoptiondevelopmentteam@warwickshire.gov. uk

West Berkshire Council

Family Placement Team

Council Offices

Avonbank House

West Street

Newbury

Berkshire RG14 1BZ

Tel:01635 503155

Fax:01635 516729

Website:www.westberks.gov.uk

e-mail:MShort@westberks.gov.uk

West Sussex County Council

County Adoption Team

Harwood House

King's Road

Horsham

West Sussex RH13 1PR

Tel:01403 246416

Fax:01403 246401

Website:www.westsussex.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption.team@westsussex.gov.uk

Westminster City Council

New Families Team

33 Tachbrook Street

London SW1V 2JR

Tel:020 7641 6301

Fax:020 7641 2527

Website:www.westminster.gov.uk

e-mail:bridward@westminster.gov.uk

Wigan Council

Family Placement Team

Hesketh Meadow

196 Newton Road

Lowton

Nr Warrington WA3 2AQ

Tel:01942 487203

Fax:01942 487211

Website:www.wiganmbc.gov.uk

e-mail:adoption@wiganmbc.gov.uk

Wiltshire County Council

Social Services Department

County Hall

Bythesea Road

Trowbridge

Wiltshire BA14 8JG

Tel:01225 752198

(Trowbridge, West Wilts areas)

01722 333552

( Salisbury and Kennet areas)

01249 460222

(Chippenham, North Wilts areas)

Website:www.wiltshire.gov.uk

e-mail:childrenandfamilies@wiltshire.gov.uk

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council

Fostering, Adoption and Respite Service

4 Marlow Road ,

Maidenhead

Berkshire SL6 7YR

Tel:01628 683201

Fax:01628 683151

Website:www.rbwm.gov.uk/social/adoption_fostering.htm

e-mail:adoption-fostering@rbwm.gov.uk

Metropolitan Borough of Wirral

Central Advice and Duty Team

PO Box 32

Birkenhead

Wirral CH41 5WE

Tel:0151 606 2006

Fax:0151 606 2600

Minicom:0151 666 5259

Website:www.wirral.gov.uk/ss/foster_adopt.asp

e-mail:comments@wirral.gov.uk

Wokingham District Council Authority

Family Placement Team

Lytham Court

Lytham Road

Woodley

Berks RG5 3PQ

Tel:0118 944 5468

Fax:0118 927 2223

Website:www.wokingham.gov.uk

e-mail:wokinghamdc@wokingham.gov.uk

Wolverhampton Borough Council

Family Placement Team

Wolverhampton Social Services

66 Mount Pleasant

Bilston WV14 7PR

Tel:01902 553070 (Freephone: 0800 0730189)

Website:www.wolverhampton.gov.uk

e-mail:webmaster@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Worcestershire County Council

Recruitment and Training Team

Family Placement

Social Services Training Centre

Tolladine Road

Worcester WR24 4NB

Tel:0800 028 2158 or 01905 612428

Fax:01905 763000

Website:http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/hom...f-adoption.htm

e-mail:socialservices@worcestershire.gov

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City of York Council

Family Placement Team

City of York Children's Services

Hollycroft

Wenlock Terrace

York YO10 4DU

Tel:01904 555310

Website:www.york.gov.uk/caring/adoption/

e-mail:adoptionandfostering@york.gov.uk