Tracing and contacting adopted relatives

What new rights do birth relatives have since December 2005?
Under Section 98 of the Adoption and children Act 2002, birth relatives now have a legal right to ask an Adoption Agency or Adoption Support Agency, to provide an intermediary service so that they can let their adopted relative know of their wish for communication.  An intermediary acts as a go-between and a mediator between the birth relative and the adopted person.  This new law came into effect on 30th December 2005.  We are required to give priority to cases where the adoption order was made prior to 12th November 1975.

Who can provide intermediary services and is there a fee?
Fr. Hudson’s Society provides intermediary services itself, though it is also possible for other Adoption Support Agencies to provide these services for you if you prefer. In that case we would co-operate by providing all the necessary information to your chosen agency. Adoption Support Agencies are listed in the contact section.  This service normally incurs charges by the various organisations.  Father Hudson’s Society asks that a donation is given to assist with costs.  If certificates need to be purchased, we’ll ask for reimbursement for these.  Suggested amounts for donations for various services will be provided.

What does the intermediary service involve?
The agency may accept applications from any birth relative of an adopted person, but we need to confirm that they are related.  This may be difficult if a birth father is not named in our records so there would be subsequent difficulties in proving the relationship of any other relatives on the father’s side.  If we are satisfied that the applicant is a birth relative, we would, after counselling, offer to trace the adopted person and proceed to contact them.  In some cases, we may feel it more appropriate, e.g. if we cannot locate the adopted person to make the contact via the adoptive parents.  Once the adopted person is contacted, they may themselves need counselling and may request information about their background from our files of their adoption.  Therefore, the adopted person may need time before they can consider contact with their birth relative.

How do I apply for this service?
You may download an application form here and/or you might prefer to have an initial discussion with a duty social worker, available afternoons on 01675 434020.

What happens after I return my application form?
We will arrange to speak with you and verify your identity.  You will have the opportunity to discuss your situation and explore possible outcomes.  If you live far away or overseas, we may arrange for you to do this via a local adoption agency.

How long might the search take?
Searching for someone whose last known address may have been decades ago can sometimes be very difficult and can take time.  We aim to provide a progress report for you by three months from date of commencement of search and strive to have completed the search by then.  You will be advised if there will be any delay in commencing a search.  In a small minority of cases where a search may prove too difficult, we may need to advise you that we do not have any further leads to pursue or our resources do not allow for further searching.

What if my adopted relative does not wish me to know of their whereabouts?
We cannot divulge your adopted relative’s identity or whereabouts to you without their consent.  If they consent we can then help you get in touch with each other and provide any counselling, advice and support that’s needed to both of you.  Even if your adopted relative does not consent to you knowing of their current identity, we may be able to give you some information about their current circumstances.

Do you assist with exchanging letters with my adoptive relative?
If your adopted relative does welcome contact, we offer a “letterbox” service whereby we can act as a go-between in forwarding letters between the birth relative and adopted person.  We can offer this until such time as both of you feel ready to exchange addresses.

Do you offer help with a reunion meeting?
Counselling/support is offered for reunion meetings.  We can provide a venue at Coleshill, whereby you will have private sitting room/kitchen/toilet facilities for your use.