Birth families
We can offer advice and guidance to birth families of adopted children. There are several issues where we may be able to provide help and support.
Individual counselling
You may find it helpful to talk to one of our workers about your particular situation and circumstances. We recognise that you may not find this easy, and that it may the first time you have spoken to anyone about the adoption. We will try to be sensitive to your wishes and feelings.
Getting in touch with other birth families
You may wish to have the opportunity to talk to other birth relatives who have been affected by adoption and some of the organisation mentioned under Adoption support organisations may be able to offer this.
Contact with the adopted person
We can help you to explore the options available to you under the Adoption and Children Act 2002. You can leave information for your adopted relative on their adoption file. If you and the adopted person are both adults, you can register your wish for contact with the General Register Office - adoption section.
Enquiries where the adopted person is under the age of 18
If there has been some contact with the adoptive family, we may be able to explore the possibility of some exchange of information.
Intermediary service where the adopted person is over the age of 18
If you have made a positive decision to seek some form of contact with the adopted relative, we can help you explore the implications and offer ongoing support. This may include liaising with other adoption support agencies.
Where it is felt appropriate we will attempt to contact the adopted person to let them know of the birth relative's wish for contact. We will offer ongoing support to all parties.
If you have been traced by your adopted relative
You may have been contacted unexpectedly by the adopted person or by an intermediary acting on behalf of the adopted person and found it difficult to know how to respond. You may wish to talk with someone about your situation and you are welcome to contact us.
Contact Details
- Contact name
- Fostering and Adoption Service
- Telephone
- Freephone 0800 389 0129
- Fax
- 020 8760 5665
- Address
- 4-06 Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon CR9 2BA
- Contact name
- General Register Office - Adoptions Section
- Telephone
- 0151 471 4830
- adoptions@ons.gov.uk
- Address
- Smedley Hydro
Trafalgar Road
Southport
Merseyside
PR8 2HH - Website
- www.gro.gov.uk
