Adoption East Midlands newsletter February 2026

We’re delighted to share details of a special joint event hosted with Foster for East Midlands to highlight the urgent need for more Black families in adoption and fostering.

The event will take place on Sunday 1 March, 11am until 2pm, at the Chase Community Centre in St Ann’s, Nottingham (NG3 4EZ).

Join us and meet our friendly teams, listen to real stories, and discover the many ways you can make a difference, whether by giving your time, using your skills or lending your voice. You can also help by spreading the word about this important event, please share with your networks or repost updates from our social media channels.

Are you thinking about adopting again or do you know anyone who might be interested in finding out more about adoption?

We're excited to share that we've introduced self-bookable options so that anyone can reach out to us about recruitment in a way that feels right for them. You can now book on to our information events to listen and learn more about adoption, as well as our brand new 'first steps calls' - a supportive conversation with an adoption worker.

There are many ways to start an adoption journey - at Adoption East Midlands, we’re here to support every step of the way.

Making Connections Online draws on Theraplay, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP), Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Non-Violent Resistance Parenting (NVR) and sensory development principles.

We use these models to explore the impact of early adversity, its influence on family life, and approaches that foster connection. Topics include early trauma, brain development, and child to parent violence.

Delivered by therapeutically trained social workers, the programme helps parents understand challenges and strengthen emotional connections with their children whilst allowing them to meet and support each other.

The group consists of six online learning sessions plus an individual online session for each family, to apply their learning to everyday situations.

Our education support workers are dedicated to helping adoptive families confidently navigate school challenges.

Through our education offer, you’ll gain access to expert consultations, practical workshops and peer support designed to build resilience and create positive learning experiences.

We’re committed to ensuring young people learn in trauma-informed environments where they feel safe, supported and thrive.

We’re excited to inform you about two youth clubs designed for young people who are not in full-time education.

Skills Connect focuses on building practical skills, confidence and future opportunities, while Connect offers a safe, supportive space to make friends and share experiences.

Both clubs aim to empower young people and help them thrive.

The Level Centre in Rowsley, Derbyshire is a charity that celebrates the art that ‘difference’ makes, producing and promoting high quality contemporary work that is powerful and relevant.

As part of their offer the Level Centre hosts various inclusive exhibitions, sensory sessions, outdoor sessions and creative arts sessions for people in the community.

Their Blend expressive arts, outdoor creativity sessions and creative sessions for neurodivergent young people are particularly popular and suitable for young people from all backgrounds.

Adoption UK’s annual Adoption Barometer survey is open until Monday, 9 February 2026.

Now in its eighth year, this landmark report captures the voices of adoptees (16 plus), prospective adopters, and adoptive parents with children aged 0 to 25.

The survey is shorter and more focused this year, taking just 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Your input helps shape policy across the UK.

Your responses will help contribute to the annual report about the impact of government policy and legislation on the lives of adoptive families and adopted people, to be published by Adoption UK this summer.

Next week is Children’s Mental Health Week, so we want to remind you that the NottAlone website has dedicated mental health information just for young people, their parents/carers and professionals who work with them.

The advice and resources on the website are available to everyone, no matter where you are located, as is the NottAlone Podcast.

NottAlone will be launching series three of their podcast on Wednesday 11 February. In the first episode, fifteen-year-old Ella shares her moving story of coping with grief following the loss of her younger brother.

Later in the series, young people will discuss eating disorder recovery and overcoming anxiety and panic attacks. Search “NottAlone” wherever you listen to podcasts to subscribe and listen for free.

Based in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire? You can also use NottAlone to find connections to free, local mental health support services.