Search and Reunion
Adopted young people frequently want to find out more or meet members of their birth family as they grow older. Our Adoption Support team can provide advice and support when this occurs and there are leaflets for young people and for adopters which you can download from this page.
These are based on a research project focused on outcomes of reunions for young people adopted from care which Adoption Support and Nottingham University conducted in 2010.
This research was also published in the Adoption UK magazine (June 2013 edition) and on the Community Care Inform website (for professionals).
Adoption Support have created two leaflets, one for adopted young adults and one for adoptive parents, based on the research and its outcomes:
For young adults: "What adopted young adults think about their reunion experiences"[PDF]
For adoptive parents: "Is your adopted child now an adult and thinking about making contact with their birth family? - What do parents need to know" [PDF]
If you would like more information, advice or support with contact and reunion please contact the Adoption Support Team.
Useful Links
Adoption Search Reunion website (BAAF website for public and professionals)
This website is intended to be the first port of call for anyone thinking about searching for or making contact with birth and adopted relatives or researching an adoption that took place in the UK. Here you can:
- Search for the location of adoption records
- Look for agencies that offer support services in your area
- Learn about your right to make or refuse contact
- Find out about recent changes to the legislation
- Read about searching for and making contact with birth relatives
- Use the Pointers for Practice for professionals working with adopted people, adopted parents and birth relatives