Universal Support
Education
Designated teacher - every school has a designated teacher responsible for looked after and previously looked after children. This guide outlines their role: www.gov.uk/government/publications/designated-teacher-for-looked-after-children If you are concerned about your child’s education speak with their teacher and the designated teacher for the school.
Education psychologists – educational psychology is concerned with children and young people in education and early years settings. Educational psychologists tackle challenges such as learning difficulties, social and emotional problems, issues around disability as well as more complex developmental disorders.
SEND education team and SENDIASS – information, advice and support service providing impartial and confidential information, advice and support for parents/carers, children and young people around issues relating to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities.
Gateshead
Telephone: (0191) 478 4667
Web: www.barnardossendiass.org.uk/gateshead-sendiass
Newcastle
Telephone: (0191) 211 6255
Web: www.newcastlesendiass.co.uk
North Tyneside
Telephone: (0191) 643 8317
Web: www.sendiassnorthtyneside.org.uk
Northumberland
Telephone: (01670) 623 555
Web: www.northumberlandiass.org.uk/index.php
South Tyneside
Telephone: (0191) 424 6345
Pupil premium plus - the pupil premium provides extra funding to state-funded schools to help their staff give extra support to disadvantaged pupils including, but not restricted to, those adopted from care.
Virtual school – The virtual school heads promote the educational achievement of the children who are looked after by the local authority they work for. They also manage pupil premium plus funding, which is an extra payment that schools receive for each looked after child, and previously looked after child, on their roll.
• Northumberland: 01670 622787
• North Tyneside: 0191 6438366
• Newcastle: 0191 2773616
• Gateshead: 0191 4338732
• South Tyneside: 0191 4273490
Nursery placements – early years pupil premium (EYPP) is additional funding for early years pre-school settings to improve the education they provide for disadvantaged two and four year olds including, but not restricted to, those adopted from care.
Children’s services
Early help and social care - support children around school attendance, emotional and wellbeing needs, or at risk of being looked after.
• Northumberland One Call: 01670 536400
• North Tyneside Front Door: 0345 2000109
• Newcastle Initial Response Service: 0191 2772500
• Gateshead Front Door: 0191 4332653
• South Tyneside Initial Contact: 0191 4245010
If you are concerned about a child’s welfare or concerned as a parent that you feel unable to care for your child, children’s social care can offer advice and support.
Please note if you think your child is in danger or at risk of immediate harm, call the police on 999.
NHS Health Services
GP - always consult your GP first if you are concerned about your child’s development, health, mental health, and wellbeing.
CAMHS/CYPS – child and adolescent mental health services are the NHS services that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. CAMHS/CYPS is the agency responsible for undertaking neurodiversity assessments, diagnosing and delivering ongoing support around neurodiversity need.
CAMHS support is available if an adopted child or young person is struggling with:
• Low mood
• Depression
• Severe anxiety
• Autism assessment service
• ADHD diagnosis and support
• Self-harm
• Eating disorders
• Conduct behaviour alongside other mental health difficulties
• Suicidal thoughts
• Tics and tourette’s
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/north-cumbria-community-children-and-young-peoplesservices
Telephone: 0191 246 6800
If concerns about the mental health of a child or young person escalate, please call NHS 111. If it is an emergency, dial 999 or immediately visit accident and emergency (A&E).
Other resources
In recognition of the range and diversity of resources that are available to support adopters, Adopt North East curates resources in the following ways. Recommended resources are those that Adopt North East can recommend based on our knowledge or experience of the resource and its contribution to effectively supporting adopted children and their families. Other resources are those not known or less well known to us but which adopters might, nevertheless, find of helpand support. We hope, in this way, that Adopt North East can act as a credible and helpful signpost to what support is out there that might help make a difference.
Recommended resources
National Health Service - Resources for parents and carers
https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/resource-library/carers-resources/
PAC – UK - Therapy, advice, support, counselling and training for all those affected by adoption and permanency.
National Organisation for FASD - information and resources for those with or caring for those with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Safeline – a charity that offers a wide range of support services for children and family members that have experienced sexual abuse.
Adoption UK - offer a wide range of service and support for adopters in the UK with regular community groups which meet locally as well as online.
National Association of Therapeutic Parents - a supportive community dedicated to empowering parents of children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences.
https://www.coect.co.uk/about-us
New Family Social - a charity that lead making adoption more accessible for LGBTQ+ people. They offer a range of services including peer support groups, family events and training
https://newfamilysocial.org.uk
UK Trauma Council (UKTC) - evidence-based resources to improve professionals and carers’ understanding of the nature and impact of trauma. They aim to better equip all those supporting children and young people exposed to trauma.
We Are Family – is a peer support community by adopters for adopters.
https://wearefamilyadoption.org.uk
Childline - a free helpline for children and young people.
Beacon House – a online resource offering guidance and inforamtion about attachment and trauma focused therapies and thinking.
FASD Network - an organisation that specialises in providing information, support and training on FASD
The Potato Group (Parents of Traumatised Adopted Teens Organisation) – a peer based service for families with adopted teenagers, to help them access support, information, resources and friendship.
Other resources
Solo adopters social, support and information (SASSI) – offering solo adopters events and activities for their families, advice, and guidance from lived experience and the opportunity to widen their support network.
Contact: team@sassi.org.uk