Who these services are for
Looked after children and adolescents who are fostered or in kinship care (i.e. in the care of their extended families or friends); adopted children and their families; and adults who have been adopted.
We also offer help for young people in the transitional period as they leave care, and for carers and adoptive families who are struggling to cope with their child's emotional and behavioural problems.
We offer consultation to professionals and professional networks working with children who are looked after and in kinship care, and with adoptive families.
Why refer to these services?
Kinship carers, foster carers and adoptive parents are often in need of specialist services. Families frequently struggle with severe and sometimes undiagnosed problems that children can bring with them. We aim to produce a secure base for families over time, enabling them to develop attachments whilst addressing experiences of trauma and loss. We work very closely with professional networks to ensure joined-up working.
Kinds of treatment offered
A range of consultation, assessment and treatment packages are available. These include treatment for children in transition and post-adoption work.
The following interventions may be offered singly or in combination after an initial assessment with families and professionals:
- family therapy
- individual therapeutic work with children/young people, alongside work with parents and carers
- work with siblings
- parenting groups
- work with kinship carers and children
- liaison with schools, education departments and social services
- psychoactive medication.
Comprehensive assessments may be followed by longer-term individual or family treatment, the aim of which is to care for the mental health of the child or adolescent, and to alleviate any problems faced by adoptive parents, carers and other family members.
The service includes consultation with carers and relevant social service departments.
How to refer
Any social services, health or education professional can request that a social worker of a child, young person or foster carer refer a child or young person to us.
To ensure that you can access the right service we pass all enquiries through a central coordinator who can direct you to the most appropriate service. Please call our coordinator on 020 8938 2241 for more information.
