Advice and Support
Our purpose is to provide anyone who has been affected by adoption, permanency and special guardianship, as well as the professionals who support them, with expert, independent advice and counselling.
National PAC-UK Advice Line
Our National PAC-UK Advice Line is available on 0300 1800 090 / advice@pac-uk.org and is staffed by qualified and experienced PAC-UK counsellors/social workers who can provide advice and information on all aspects of adoption, permanency and special guardianship. We have included information about the level of support our National PAC-UK Advice Line can offer and signposting details for other organisations below - please read all information listed on this page before contacting us.
Our opening hours are listed below, though please be aware that we may be experiencing high volumes of calls. If the line is busy when you call, please do leave a voicemail or send an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Please only contact us with queries which are relevant to our area of expertise. Like all PAC-UK’s services, our National PAC-UK Advice Line is independent and confidential, within a safeguarding framework.
| National PAC-UK Advice Line 0300 1800 090 | Opening Times |
| Monday | 10.00am to 4.00pm |
| Tuesday | 10.00am to 4.00pm |
| Wednesday | 10.00am to 7.30pm |
| Thursday | 10.00am to 7.30pm |
| Friday | 10.00am to 4.00pm |
If you are a resident or professional from a PAC-UK subscribing local authority you can contact our National PAC-UK Advice Line to discuss your circumstances and eligibility for a referral to access further support from PAC-UK.
If your local authority does not have a contract with PAC-UK, we will not be able to take a referral and the advice we can offer you will be limited. We understand this is difficult, but we do not want this to deter you from finding the right support; will do our best to share any helpful resources and signpost you to other organisations/agencies you could access.
Important: Please be aware that we cannot offer crisis services. If you are in crisis, or if you/someone else is at risk of harm, we will always need to consider who else can offer you more urgent and appropriate support.
- If you or someone else is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services on 999
- If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, contact NHS crisis services on 111
- If you are struggling with low mood and/or thoughts of suicide, you can speak with the Samaritans, anytime, on 116 123
- If you need help but it’s hard to talk, you can text SHOUT anytime, to 85258
- If you are worried about risks to children, you can contact NSPCC Helpline on 08088005000 / help@nspcc.org.uk
FamilyConnect Advice Line
We also have a dedicated FamilyConnect Advice Line available on 0300 1800 205 to support adult adoptees, their descendants and birth relatives who wish to reconnect with their relatives - this line is open each Monday 3.00pm to 6.00pm (excluding bank holidays), Tuesday 11.00am-2.00pm and Thursday 1.00pm to 4.00pm. You can also email familyconnect@pac-uk.org.
PAC-UK Services
- Adopted Adult Support Services (incl. Intermediary Services)
- Adoptive Parent & Carer Support Services
- Adopteens Service for Adopted Teens
- Birth Parent & Birth Relatives Support Services (incl. Intermediary Services)
- Child & Family Service
- Child to Parent Violence Service
- Education Service for Schools, Parents & Professionals
- Private Intermediary Service
- Support Groups for Birth Parents & Adoptive Parents
- Training Service (view our full Training Programme here)
Service Feedback
PAC-UK aims to provide high-quality services that meet our service users’ needs. By telling us how we are doing, you can help shape these services in the future.
All your views, whether positive or otherwise, are important to us, as we are committed to improving the services we provide.
Download our Family Action Comments, Compliments & Complaints Leaflet and contact us if you require any further information.
