Support for birth families
When a child is placed for adoption, a contact plan is made. This sets out how the child may remain in touch with birth parents, siblings or any significant members of their birth family. This can include sending letters, emails, photos or other plans such as meeting in person.
If you would like to review your contact plans, please get in touch with the Keeping in Touch (letterbox) team. The team will be able to advise you what we can do to support a voluntary arrangement between birth relatives and adoptive parent/s.
Making contact with an adopted adult (over 18)
Adoption Counts does not offer an intermediary service. We can offer a limited service to relatives and significant people (such as foster carers) who wish to know more about an adopted person, if that person was adopted after 30th December 2005. This is with the adopted person’s permission and may incur a fee.
Other ways to contact an adopted person or birth relative
Adopted people and birth relatives can add themselves to the Adoption Contact Register at the General Register Office to both look for a birth relative or an adopted person or to say you don’t want to be contacted. For a connection to be made between people, you must both be on the Adoption Contact Register.
Family Rights Group
Family Rights Group has launched a new interactive map of support services for birth families looking for information and support before, during and after adoption.
“Too often, birth families affected by adoption struggle to access the support they need. It can also have a significant impact on the outcome for the children involved. Our new interactive map will, for the first time, create a go-to resource for families to find support at this critical time.”
Pam Ledward, Principal Social Work Adviser at Family Rights Group
The interactive map, hosted on Family Rights Group’s website, allows birth parents and other relatives to search for adoption support services in their area using their postcode. This includes services that provide advice, support groups, and counselling. Working with members of our parents’ panel and web developers, the map has been designed to be easy for families to use.
“When two of my children were adopted, I couldn’t find any support. I searched everywhere and felt alone. Then I found Family Rights Group which changed my life. Their new map will help birth parents like me, and other relatives, find support and information in our area when we need it.”
Katie, a member of Family Rights Group’s parents’ panel
“We know that it can be hard for birth families to find the adoption support they need and that gaps in support exist. This map will also be useful for professionals working with families to help understand the support provision available in their region and local area. At a time when birth family members may not know who or where to turn to for help and support, this map is certain to change lives.”
Sarah Johal MBE, National Adoption Strategic Lead at Adoption England
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