Provides support through a nationwide network of adoptive families. Helps potential adopters with information about how and where to apply for children, especially children with special needs, who would otherwise grow up in care.

Barnardos
Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford, Essex IG6 1QG
Tel: 020 8550 8822
Fax: 020 8551 6870
Web address: www.barnardos.org.uk

Works extensively in the community, in partnership with parents and local authorities, voluntary agencies and churches. Runs over 300 community-based projects - including day care centres - provides intermediate treatment for young drug users, works with young offenders and helps young people leaving care to cope. Retains very few homes and residential schools for children with special needs.

The Children's Family Trust
MKA House, 4-6 Andrews Road, Droitwich, Worcester, WR9 8DN
Tel:01905 798229
Fax: 01905 798230
E-mail: cft.headoffice@btinternet.com

Provides long-term care by employing a mix of care models, including voluntary registered homes and foster care. Aims to provide long-term family care for large sibling groups for whom the possibility of return to their family of origin is unlikely or non-existent.

Coram Family
49 Mecklenburgh Square, London WC1N 2QA
Tel: 020 7520 0300
Fax: 020 7520 0301
E-mail: reception@coram.org.uk

Provides education and day care for the under fives. Places children with special needs for adoption. Organises residential and non-residential work with young people leaving care, education, support and training for parents and specialist fostering for troubled young people. Provides facilities for contact meetings involving children.

Independent Adoption Service
121 Camberwell Road, London SE5 0HB
Tel: 020 7703 1088
Fax: 020 7277 1668
E-mail: carolined@independentadoptionservice.org.uk

Aims to find permanent adoptive families for children of all ages, with special emphasis on working with black families, sibling groups and older children. A preparation and information programme is run for prospective adopters, who are recruited from within a 35-mile radius of London. Provides training workshops and post-adoption services.

National Organisation for Counselling Adoptees and Parents
112 Church Road, Wheatley, Oxfordshire, OX33 1LU
Tel: 01865 875000 (Mon, Tues, Wed and Thurs 10am-4pm)
Fax: 01865 875686

Provides sympathetic understanding, support and guidance to adult adopted people as well as both their adoptive and birth parents. Searching assistance and an intermediary service is available for members and a register of both adoptees and birth relatives interested in making contact. Liaison is maintained with professional adoption and fostering agencies and government departments.

Norwood Ravenswood
Norwood House, Harmony Way, London NW4 2BZ
Tel: 020 8203 3030
Fax: 020 8202 3030

Aims to provide for the care and development of children who are disabled or disadvantaged and people with learning disabilities and their families.

Parents for Children
41 Southgate Road, London N1 3JP
Tel: 020 7359 7530
Fax: 020 7226 7840

Places children with exceptional needs in permanent foster and adoptive families. Maintains children in their families by providing a high standard of post-placement supervision and a continuing post-adoption service of advice and support until each child is at least 18 years of age.

Post-Adoption Centre
5 Torriano Mews, Torriano Avenue, London NW5 2RZ
Tel: 020 7284 0555 (admin office hours, advice Mon-Wed)
Fax: 020 7482 2367

Offers post-adoption support and counselling for adoptive families, adopted people and birth parents whose child has been adopted.