Adoption and fostering
Fostering
Foster care support
For more information and advice on becoming a foster carer visit the Foster or Adopt webpage or contact
fosterchildren@edinburgh.gov.uk
0800 174 833
Information is also available on the training accessible to foster carers and a variety of support groups.
Adoption
City of Edinburgh Council adoption team
Adoptive parents can access support from the local authority who arranged the adoption for the first three years following the adoption order being granted. Thereafter, support can requested from the local authority where they live. Anyone living in Edinburgh, including adults who were adopted and parents of children who have been adopted, can access support from the Council’s adoption team.
Anyone in need of information or support in Edinburgh can visit the Foster or Adopt webpage or contact our experienced social workers on
0131 200 4200
Adoption UK
Support, information, advice, community events and therapeutic services for adoptive and kinship families, children, young people and adults who are adopted. Support is also available for families caring for a child or young person with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). For more information visit the Adoption UK website or contact the Helpline Monday to Friday 10am to 2.30pm on
03006 660 006
Helpline Advisors can be emailed at helpline@adoptionuk.org.uk
The FASD Hub Scotland Helpline can be accessed Tuesday to Friday 10am to 2.30pm by calling
0300 666 0006 (select option 2)
Education PATHway programme - Adoption UK
A service for adopted or kinship care families caring for a primary or secondary-aged child who is struggling in their education provision. Support is offered through Adoption UK’s PATH therapeutic services. Support may include a series of meetings with the school, support for families from a peer support partner or online therapeutic support for young people aged 13 and above, for up to 15 sessions.
For more information contact
0131 202 3670
#E Project
A service for children and young people who are adopted, living in kinship care and/or living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD). Monthly online sessions aim to develop individual skills, social interactions, confidence and self-esteem. Face to face opportunities and experiences also run. Open to school-aged children/young people and 18 to 25 year olds.
For more information contact
0131 202 3670
Children Health Scotland
A range of free online workshops to support the health and wellbeing of Kinship carers in Scotland and the young people/children in their care. Covering topics such as adolescence, understanding trauma and looking after your family and self. Additional online workshops tailored to foster carers are also available.
To book a workshop, visit the Children's Health Scotland Eventbrite page.
For more information contact
enquiries@childrenshealthscotland.org
0131 553 6553
Support for birth parents
Birthlink
Birthlink is a small Scottish charity based in Edinburgh. They offer advice to adopted adults, birth parents, adoptive parents, birth families and professionals in relation to adoptions with a Scottish connection. Supports include
- adoption information line
- access to the adoption contact register
- counselling
- mediation
- DNA services
For more information visit the Birthlink website or contact the After Adoption Information Line on
0131 225 6441
Bluebird Project - scottish adoption and fostering
For birth parents living in Edinburgh or the Lothians who have a child who is permanently fostered, adopted or in kinship care. This support includes telephone and one-to-one support, counselling, peer support and intermediary support.
For more information visit the Scottish Adoption website call 0131 553 5060 or email info@scottishadoption.org
Support for adults who are adopted
Scottish adoption and fostering
Offers advice about adoption records and intermediary support. For more information visit the Scottish Adoption website call 0131 553 5060 or email info@scottishadoption.org