Combined Executive Agenda 120410.pdf - North Ayrshire Council

� Access to records.
� Letterbox and direct contact
arrangements.
� Roots counselling.
14.5 On account of the range and complexity of needs of children placed for
adoption, many adopters now seek ongoing support and advice after
adoption orders are made.
14.6 The Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007 sets out the duties placed on
Councils to provide post adoption support. As a result of this, a revised
Adoption Allowance Scheme was approved on 1
introduced
dopters to agree how to take
forward the necessary supports for children.
st April 2011 (Please refer
to Appendix 2 for full details) with Adoption Support Plans being
into protocols and practice in due course. The Adoption Support
Plans enable the Adoption Service and a
14.7 Supports will be made available from resources which can be provided from
mainstream services e.g. local authority and Health Board. It is recognised
that there will be requests for private services and in these
circumstances the
Council has the power, but not the duty, to pay for them.
14.8 When an adopted young person reaches the age of 16 years, he or she can
seek information concerning their birth parents and families. Prior to 16, an
assessment of the young person’s capacity to cope with the information will
be made, taking into account the views of the adoptive parents. If under 16,
no identifying information about parents or relatives will be provided.
14.9 Birth parents and relatives often seek information once the child reaches
adulthood and in these instances the Council can get in touch with adopted
adults to let them know a relative wishes to make contact. The Council works
in partnership with Birthlink - After Adoption Service, based
in Edinburgh,
which manages the Adoption Contact Register for Scotland.
14.10 Services are also provided to all parties in adoption by Scottish Adoption
Advice Service and North Ayrshire contracts services
from this agency to
support
both birth families and adoptive families.
15
Post Adoption Support
15.1 A Post Adoption Group runs in conjunction with East and South Ayrshire and
meets two/three times per year. Topics can be selected by adopters
themselves, or in conjunction with staff who support to the group and reflect
new developments within adoption or issues
such as dealing with behaviour
which is challenging or medical concerns.
15.2 Services are also provided to all parties in adoption by the Scottish Adoption
Advice Service. North Ayrshire Council contract services from this agency to
support both birth families and adoptive families.
16
Medical Services
16.1 Pre-Adoption: all children under 2 years old have a medical assessment
undertaken by the medical adviser. This will look at their physical and mental
health and also their development. Any issues
identified will be addressed
appropriately and follow up will be arranged.
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