Adoption England have also developed a range of resources to help with maintaining relationships. The resources have been produced in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders and partners, considering best practice and research. This includes resources for adoptive parents, birth relatives, professionals and children.
Relationships between a child and their birth family, plus others who have been important in their lives, must always be considered when a child is to be adopted. The child’s needs are central to any plan which must also take account of the adopters’ views. Read below about the projects we're working on to help children stay in touch with their birth family.
Theory of Change
Lifelong Links (adaptation for adoption)
Letter-swap prototype
Birth family mapping
Improving Adoption Services for Adults (IASA)
Research in Practice
Be a “Champion” of Culture Change in Adoption
National Practice Standards for Staying in Touch/Contact
Theory of Change
Letter-swap prototype
Improving Adoption Services for Adults (IASA)
Lifelong Links (adaptation for adoption)
Birth family mapping
Research in Practice
Be a “Champion” of Culture Change in Adoption
National Practice Standards for Staying in Touch/Contact
Adoption England has developed new standards to help adopted children maintain safe and meaningful connections with the people who matter to them. The standards set clear expectations for agencies to begin planning early, adapt to children’s changing needs, and make use of new technology. Developed with input from professionals and those with lived experience, they provide clear guidance to improve practice and support children’s lifelong relationships.