Being able to keep in touch with birth parents or significant other family members where appropriate
To know that their birth parents and other family are safe and well
To gain a sense of their past history
Reduce feelings of loss and rejection
the birth parent(s) and family:
To reassure you and your family that the child(ren) is safe and well
For the child to know that you and other birth relatives are safe and well
To give you updates about the child’s progress
Gives you the chance to share news about your life that may be interesting and helpful to the child(ren)
As the child grows up it may be important for them to know that you stayed in touch. This may help them to make sense of their past
the adoptive parent(s):
To provide important information that may not have been available at the time of the Adoption Order, such as a hereditary medical condition or birth or death of a birth relative.
To receive information about the wellbeing of the child’s birth family
It can help dispel any myths of the birth family and prevent ‘fantasies’
It may help adoptive parents to talk openly with the child(ren) about their adoption. This may make it easier to answer the child’s questions and deal with all kinds of adoption issues in the future in a healthy and realistic manner