The ARC Adoption Team

The outstanding ARC Adoption team consider it a real privilege to work in the field of adoption. The dedicated team work tirelessly, using their extensive knowledge and skills to increase the opportunities for children to experience a positive family life.

Terry Fitzpatrick

Director Read more

Lorraine Jefferson

Assistant Director Read more

Joan Archer

Senior Adoption Social Worker Read more

Clare Rowe

Administration Assistant Read more

Linda Blackburn-Carris

Senior Adoption Practitioner Read more

Carol Cresswell

Family Support Worker Read more

Angela Rutherford

Senior Adoption Practitioner Read more

Victoria Holton

Counsellor Read more

Sarah Shippen

Administration Assistant Read more

Lynn Applegarth

Adoption Support Worker Read more

Teresa Kingdon

Senior Family Support Worker Read more

Donna Mease

Adoption Support Co-Ordinator Read more

Lauren Huntley

Family Support Worker Read more

Ayesha Foster

Senior Adoption Practitioner Read more

Rob Johnson

Clinical Psychologist Read more

Sylvia Moffett

Adoption Social Worker Read more

Veronica Cairns

Domestic Read more

Lisa Parkin

Finance and Office Manager Read more

Carol Belk

Adoption Social Worker Read more

Caroline Blakie

Family Support Worker Read more

Joanne Robinson

Senior Adoption Practitioner Read more

Joan Johnson

Birth Parent Support Assistant Read more

Nicola Storey

Marketing and Business Manager Read more

Pam Molloy

Adoption Social Worker Read more

Latest

Information Event About Adoption - Thursday 2nd December 2021

ARC Adoption North East would like to invite you to an online information event to find out more about the adoption process and the outstanding support available to you from our experienced team.
Talking to your Child about their Life Story Workshop - Thursday 25th November 2021

Come and join the ARC Adoption North East team and explore ways to talk to your child about their life story.
Self Care for Adopter's Workshop - Wednesday 27th October 2021

ARC Adoption families are invited to join us at our Self Care for Adopter's Workshop.
Writing Contact Letters Virtual Workshop - Wednesday 17th November 2021

Would you like support when writing letters to your child's birth family? The team at ARC Adoption North East would like to invite their families to writing contact letters workshop.

How adoption works

Adoption is a way of providing new families for children who cannot be looked after by their birth parents and need to belong to a new family.
How long does the UK adoption process take?
Matching panel

Once the family finding process is complete the match will need to be agreed formally by the adoption panel for the child’s agency. If approval is recommended by the adoption panel for the match, the child’s adoption agency decision maker then makes the final decision.
Fostering for adoption

At ARC Adoption North East are committed to exploring different routes to adoption. ARC Adoption offers an early permanence route, often referred to as fostering for adoption or foster to adopt. Fostering for adoption means that young children, usually babies, are placed at a young age with approved potential adopters who would also be approved temporary foster carers whilst the family court decides on the child’s future.
Checks and references

Stage one of the adoption process begins after you have received some general information, an initial visit at your home and ARC Adoption North East are in receipt of your ‘registration of interest’ from you.
LGBTQ+ Adopters

At ARC Adoption North East, we welcome enquiries and applications from everyone including all members of the LGBT+ community.
Initial visit

Following your initial enquiry, if you would like to progress with the adoption process a member of ARC Adoption North East’s team will visit you in your home. The initial visit will be very informal and take place at a date and time that is convenient for you and will last about two hours. It’s an opportunity to have your questions answered in more detail and help the team get to know you better.
Finding the right child for you

Once you become an approved adopter, it’s time to start looking for the right child or children that will join your family.
Children are waiting

ARC Adoption North East has joined forces with a group of Voluntary Adoption Agencies from across the UK to encourage potential adopters to adopt those children who wait the longest.
Contact us

At ARC Adoption North East we value your opinion. All compliments, comments and complaints are accepted and considered with the greatest respect. Your feedback is welcomed to help develop ARC Adoption North East’s services.