ACE Support services

ACE is pleased to provide a range of inhouse support services to meet the varying needs of our children and families:

• Support Groups - we have a good relationship with independently run adopters support groups
• Adoptive Family Events - picnics and fundays
• Newsletter – a quarterly Newsletter keeping you up to date with ACE news, developments, training and events
• Stay and Play Groups
• Training Events – A comprehensive programme of pre approval and post approval training including specialist therapeutic training.
• ACE Training Brochure (PDF, 554 KB)
• Workshops and webinars
• Buddy Service – Experienced adopters will support prospective adopters through the early stages of the adoption assessment process up until the adoption match
• Friends and Family Training - ACE provides training to adopters' friends and family to enable them to have a greater understanding of the impact of early trauma on children, consider how they can support the adopters whether it be by offering practical support or by providing a non-judgemental listening ear, taking time to help the child build safe trusting relationships with other adults who will be consistent, reliable and fun. Providing support from the first day the child is placed through to adulthood.

You and your family may have a specific need. We offer the following specialised support services:

• Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP) informed social worker support
• Family ‘assessment of need’ for adoption support services
• Applications to the Adoption and Special Guardianship Fund for therapeutic intervention
• Assistance with contact and an adoption Letterbox Scheme
• Adopted Young People's Group
• Individual and Couples Counselling – we may fund four free counselling sessions with a systemic family therapist
• Talking and Telling consultations and workshops - support in talking and telling your child about their birth history and adoption
• ACE Clinical Psychology Service – An appointment based service where your ACE social worker will meet with you and the clinical psychologist to discuss any aspect of adoption.