Adoption frequently asked questions

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Frequently asked questions index

• Do adopted children keep in touch with their birth families?
• Will I get paid for adopting a child?
• As an adoptive parent, what kind of support will I get?
• What is an adoption ‘post box’ service?
• I was adopted in Wiltshire and I’d like to see my adoption file – what do I do?
• Are you seeking information about a relative who has been adopted?

Do adopted children keep in touch with their birth families?

Adoption in the 21st century is a much more open process than it was in the past and most of the children who need adoption will have some form of ongoing contact with their birth families. This may be occasional face-to-face contact or it may be by letter or a combination of both. These contact arrangements are usually supported by staff from the adoption service, to ensure they continue to be in the child’s best interest.

Will I get paid for adopting a child?

Financial support may be available in some circumstances, where the needs of the child and/or adopters have been assessed.

As an adoptive parent, what kind of support will I get?

Wiltshire provides a county-wide adoption support service. A variety of support activities, including social events and ongoing training programmes are offered to adopters. When adopters are matched with a child an assessment is made in relation to their ongoing needs for support as a family.

In addition, Wiltshire has a contract with a specialist adoption support agency called South West Adoption Network (SWAN), who provide a range of services for adopted people, adoptive parents and birth parents. These services include individual counselling sessions and a helpline. The helpline is open to the public, who can make direct contact for a service, on 0845 6012459.

What is an adoption ‘post box’ service?

The adoption ‘post-box’ service facilitates the exchange of letters, cards and photographs between adopted children and their birth families, where it has been agreed that there should be ongoing, indirect contact between them, in the child’s best interest. There is an information leaflet that gives more information about this service.

I was adopted in Wiltshire and I’d like to see my adoption file - what do I do?

You need to initially contact the Office for National Statistics (Adoption Section) on 0170 456 3563. They will ask you to complete an application form, giving your current details and any details you have of your adoption. The Office for National Statistics will then write to the Social Services Department in the area where you now live, requesting that they provide a counsellor to help you access your adoption file. This counsellor will make contact with you and arrange to meet you.

Are you seeking information about a relative who has been adopted?

If you are seeking information about a relative who has been adopted please contact Adoption Support Service Advisers at either Chippenham or Salisbury.

Last updated: 12 August 2010