Adoption is a way of giving a child the love and security of a family life, when they cannot live with the family they were born into. It is a legal procedure in which all the parental rights and responsibility are transferred to the adopters.
If you are considering adoption for your child
You may be pregnant and feeling very unsure about the future and the important decisions you have to make.
You may be considering a number of options, including adoption. A social worker from your local adoption team can help you to think about the choices open to you.
If you live in Basildon, Rochford or Castle Point, your local team is the South West adoption team based at Ely House, Ely Way, Basildon SS14 2BQ.
If you live in Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon, Colchester or Tendring, your local team is the North East adoption team based at Essex House, 200 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester CO4 9YG
If you live in Harlow, Epping Forest, Uttlesford or Brentwood, your local team is the South West adoption team based at Goodman House, Station Approach, Harlow CM20 2ET.
For contacting all these teams telephone ContactEssex on 0845 603 7627 and ask for either the South West adoption team (Basildon or Harlow office) or the North East adoption team and an operator will be able to put you through to the team.
If you are unsure which is your local team, any of the teams would be happy to help you.
If you prefer, you could contact a voluntary adoption agency.
There are a lot of organisations who can offer you general information and advice and a few of these are listed below.
BAAF Southern England
Saffron House
6 – 10 Kirby Street
London EC1N 8TS
Advice line: 020 7421 2652
Natural Parents' Network (NPN)
N.P.N. Registered Charity Address
18 Bishops Way
Stradbroke
Eye
Suffolk IP21 5JR
Tel: 0845 4565031 (helpline Monday to Friday 9.30am to 11.30am)
Email:
administrator@n-p-n.co.uk Website:
www.n-p-n.co.uk British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS)
Austy Manor
Stratford Road
Wootton Wawen
Henley in Arden B95 6BX
Advice line: 08457 304030
Website:
www.bpas.org