Adopted children to have closer contact with birth families

A new report has been published today which promotes the need for adopted children to maintain their pre-adoption relationships.  We recognise that for many considering adoption the thought of actively promoting an ongoing relationship with members of the child’s birth family can be challenging.  It can raise feelings of fear – if it wasn’t safe for the child to live with them why is it safe to promote a relationship?  It can raise feelings of displacement – what if they like their other mum/dad more than me?  It may even raise feelings of frustration – I just want to get on with normal family life!

At Adoption Now we have been supporting adopters for a number of years now to think through the dynamics of a more open approach to adoption because we would agree that for a lot of children keeping in touch with existing or birth family relationships can be really beneficial.  We recognise that writing letters, beautiful as it can be, is quite antiquated as a concept now and we therefore look at creative ways to keep in touch where it is safe, meaningful and in the child’s best interest.  What we have seen over many years is that a more open approach within adoption usually creates a greater closeness between children and their adoptive parent(s) and a richness in their relationships, but also allows the child/young person to have a better understanding of their past and identity.  By demystifying the past for children, it enables them to walk more confidently into the future.

We have a dedicated Keeping in Touch team who support children, birth families and their adoptive families to achieve the most meaningful and safe ways to keep in touch with birth siblings, grandparents and parents.  We are still on a journey as we explore new ways to communicate and keep in touch.  

Why not join us on that journey