You are likely reading this page as you have been selected as the authorised professional to validate a prospective adopter / adopter for We Are Family membership.

To help with any questions that you may have about We Are Family membership, we have put together a short list of FAQs. A full list of FAQs about We Are Family membership can be found here and for any questions that have not been answered below, please email hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk 

Learn more about our impact and membership insight.

What kind of services can members expect from We Are Family membership? 

We Are Family offers a variety of programmes, events and information to its members, including:

  • Face to face and online peer-support events run by We Are Family local groups;
  • Online events for all Members, such as WAF Talks webinars and thematic support groups
  • The Member Hub, which provides access to our webinars on-demand, articles of interest to our members, and information about adoption-related training and news;
  • Our blog, which is available on the We Are Family website.

How do the different stages work? 

Membership is open to anyone at Stage 1 (exploring) and beyond, and members at each stage will receive tailored services and communications that are more relevant to their specific needs at the point in the adoption journey at which it is useful.  For example, members at:

  • Stage 1 (exploring, considering adoption, Stage 1 of assessment process) will have access to selected resources and a regular newsletter.
  • Stage 2 (prospective, Stage 2 of assessment process) will be able to access resources, attend talks and specific peer support groups and events.
  • Stage 3 (approved adopter, family finding, pre-placement) will be able to access resources, attend talks and specific events aimed at family-finding peer support.
  • Stage 4 (approved adopter with child/ren placed) will have full access to all of our services including peer support sessions and participation in family friendly events.

Some events are open to multiple stages and we are working on plans to connect members with other adopter / prospective adopters in their area. 

Is membership free? 

Yes, membership is and always will be free.

How do people join? 

There are now multiple ways that you people can join We Are Family membership: 

  • Route A – Social Worker validation: A social worker, or authorised professional, can validate your adoption status. This is the primary route and should be used for all members that can validate this way. 
  • Route B – Self-evidencing: For those that may no longer have contact with their Assessing Authority / Adoption Agency (e.g. they adopted some years ago). In these cases only, we have a “self-evidencing” process which can be used. Full details will be provided within the sign-up process.

If none of these processes will work for unique circumstances then please contact us directly.

Is membership open to non-UK residents?

Membership is open to anyone who is going through the UK adoption process, has adopted outside the UK and is now resident in the UK, or was previously resident in the UK and a validated member who has since moved abroad.

Is membership open to those that adopted a while ago / have grown-up children? 

Yes, membership is open to anyone who is going through or who has gone through the UK adoption process, has adopted outside the UK and is now resident in the UK, or was previously resident in the UK and a validated member who has since moved abroad.

Do partner’s automatically get access to membership if a couple signs up?

No, membership is for individuals only so each adoptive or prospective adoptive parents should make their own application. 

We encourage partners to become full members in their own right in order to have access to all of the relevant services, and to grow our membership numbers which in turn increases We Are Family’s ability to be considered an important advocate for adopter’s voices. 

Do members need to join a local group? 

No, members do not need to join a local group but we would encourage members to consider joining one or more local or pan-We Are Family groups (from stage 2 onwards) as this is how you access the online and in-person peer support groups. 

We Are Family offers groups which allow members to interact with others in their local area, and some which are designed for particular types of members (e.g. single adopters). When members join a group, they will be added to that group’s e-mailing list. Member may change their group choices at any time. 

Please note that members can join whichever group is geographically closest to them; they do not have to live in the borough of the group that they choose to join. 

What events does each We Are Family group put on?

Each We Are Family group puts on a range of different events depending on what its members want and what its volunteers can do. Typically a group will run support groups for adoptive parents, family get-togethers, parent social events and information evenings about adoption related topics.

Do you have support for prospective adopters? 

Yes, members can join our prospective adopter group, which has its own events, as well as a local group.

Do you have support for single adopters? 

Yes, members can join one of our single adopter groups, which have their own events, as well as a local group.

How do We Are Family know if an adoption status changes? 

To ensure that we let members know about the most appropriate services and events for whatever stage they are at in the adoption process, we encourage members to let us know if/when their stage changes by updating their Member Account, found within the Member Hub. 

I know of someone that I would like to refer for membership that – what should I send them?

Please direct them to follow the steps on the ‘Join us’ page.

I am interested to find out more about professional collaborations and partnerships with We Are Family, who can I speak to?

We would love to hear from you! Please drop us an email at hello@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk

Is We Are Family a charity?

Yes, We Are Family is a charitable incorporated organisation, registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales with charity number 1163318.

We were founded in 2013 by adopters who had experienced first-hand the lack of peer support available. Becoming a family through adoption can bring its own unique set of challenges, as your child joins your family with an identity and a history of their own. Sharing problems, insights, frustrations and laughs with other people who have similar experiences can be invaluable.

Learn more about our impact and membership insight.

Do you accept donations? 

Yes. Adoption can bring a lot of joy, but also significant challenges.

Post-adoption support often doesn’t meet the complex needs of adoptive families who helping their children overcome the significant impacts of early trauma. Since 2013, We Are Family has provided peer support to adopters, no matter where they are on their journey. Our parent groups, webinars, articles and other resources provide community, information and inspiration to anyone navigating the world of adoption.

We’re growing and having to adapt to meet the challenges this brings. We’re proud to offer our services for free, but we need donations to make this possible. Making a donation at a level that you can afford will help us to expand our services and ensure we can be there for every adopter that needs us, no matter where they are on their journey.

You can read through our full Membership Terms and Conditions, General FAQs and Privacy Notice. 

For any questions that have not been answered above, please email hello@werarefamilyadoption.org.uk