Overview
Who It's For
Adoptee adults and children, parents who have lost a child/children to adoption , and adoptive parents. Family members can also access the service.
How We Help
We provide therapeutic counselling, casework, emotional support, records tracing, assistance with family search and reunion, group activities, peer support, community grants and professional development.
What to Expect
Specialised services delivered by people who understand the unique challenges of adoption trauma and its affects across the lifespan.
Programs
Community grants are available through FASS. A Mentoring Program for young adoptees is available through PASS.
Price
Our support services are free, however there may be some external costs associated with search and reunion.
Delivery Options
Face-to-face, telephone and telehealth counselling and group sessions during business hours. After-hours groups and sessions are available by appointment. Group activities and workshops.
Forced Adoption Support Service
Forced Adoption Support Services provide free and confidential support to those affected by forced adoption (also known as local adoption) in Australia. This practice peaked between 1951 and 1975, however we know forced adoption took place outside this timeframe also.
We provide support on:
- Grief and loss counselling
- Trauma-informed practice
- Search and reunion
- Community and peer support
- Access to Small Grants programs
Post Adoption Support Services
Post Adoption Support Services provide counselling, information, assistance and support with family search and reunion, and links to other relevant support networks. Support is available for both local and intercountry adoption.
We provide support on:
- Identify and belonging
- Search and reunion
- Trauma informed parenting support
- Grief and loss
- Community and peer
- Cultural identity
- Trauma-informed practice
Small Grants Program for Forced Adoption Support Service
The Small Grants program is aimed at activities that build capacity and enhance support for people affected by forced adoption.
The maximum grant amount is $3000 per application, and there are two funding rounds per year, in February and July.
Small Grants funding can be used for a range of peer support activities which are inclusive and promote wellbeing, self-determination, and access to support and advocacy for people affected by forced adoption
Information and Training for Professionals
We offer training for:
- Schools
- Allied Health Professionals
- Community Groups
New training available: Forced Adoption: Practical Skills and Awareness
The APS also has a training program for Forced Adoption.