MK15 0AA By telephone: 01908 572700
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Birth families
We provide support for birth families who have lost a child to adoption and have a connection with our Society. The process of adopted people or birth families finding out about each other and the experiences which led to adoption can be very complex and difficult, but can also be very positive. Do get in touch with us if you think that we may be able to help you.
If you are a birth relative of a child placed for adoption
If you are a birth parent, brother or sister, grandparent or close relative of a child placed for adoption through our Society, then we may be able to offer a service to you. If your birth child was placed for adoption through another agency, then we may be able to offer you suggestions as to the best course of action, and where is best to make enquiries.
If your child was, or is, currently being placed for adoption through Milton Keynes Council, through Buckinghamshire County Council, or through Peterborough City Council, then you may be able to find additional information here.
Finding out about your birth child or relative
In the past, people who had been adopted grew up often knowing very little about their birth families. Similarly, birth families thought that they would never receive any information about children who had been adopted.
We realise that birth parents in particular often continue to think a great deal about the child they have lost. They may want to know that they are in good health, or they may wonder whether they are leading happy and fulfilled lives, or they may want to contact someone about changes in their birth family.
Until recently, birth relatives, including birth parents have had no right to any information or services generally. In practice however, many adoption agencies (including our Society) have recognised that birth relatives should at least be able to register information on their child's adoption file.
With the implementation of The Adoption and Children Act 2002, birth relatives now have a right to request information. Intermediary services for birth relatives became a statutory service with a legal framework after the Act's full implementation in December 2005.
A birth relative may now contact the agency which was involved in the child's placement for adoption, the Local Authority where they now live, or an adoption support agency.
If you are a birth relative of a child who is likely to be, or has already been removed for adoption, or where a special guardianship or residence order is being planned and are living in Milton Keynes or under their council, then we may be able to help you.
You may be a birth mother or birth father, an aunt or uncle, grandparent, brother or sister of the child to be placed away from your family. We’d be pleased to hear from you.
We understand that whatever the reasons why a child needs to be placed permanently away from their family, people in that child’s family usually feel hurt, angry and very sad.
They often want to talk to someone who can help them understand why the child cannot stay in the family. They may need to know what their rights are, and what they can and can’t do.
They may want to know what contact they can have with that child, and ask for help in writing letters, sending photos, finding out how the child is getting on, and letting the child know what’s happening in the birth family.
At Open Door, we offer free and independent advice and support on all of these issues.
Open Door is based at the offices of St Francis’ Children’s Society in Woolstone, Milton Keynes. It’s not far from the city centre, and transport can be provided. However, the Open Door workers can usually arrange to see people in their own homes or somewhere else in the city if travel is not possible.
There are several ways to contact Open Door:
By telephone: 01908 572736
By post: FREEPOST ANG7890, Milton Keynes MK15 OBR
By email
If you are a solicitor, guardian, social worker, health or education worker, or anyone in touch with someone who might benefit from the services of Open Door, we'd also be pleased to hear from you.
The Birth Family Support Service (BFSS) offers independent advice, support and information to birth relatives of children who are being placed for adoption through Buckinghamshire County Council.
If your child is in the process of being adopted and you need someone to talk to about how you are affected by this, or if you need help understanding the adoption process, then Birth Family Support Service can offer you help.
BFSS is a totally independent service, delivered by the Society on behalf of Buckinghamshire County Council. The service is delivered throughout Bucks, with the support worker able t o see people in their local areas, usually in their own homes or at a suitable venue close by.
If you are a birth family member who would like to access this service or if you are a professional working with someone in that position then please do not hesitate to contact us for help or advice.
By post: BFSS, Freepost ANG7890, Milton Keynes, MK15 0BR
By phone: 01908 572700
By email
Birth Link is a very much needed pilot project offering advice, support and counselling to birth relatives who have lost their children to adoption in Peterborough.
In October 2009, Gisele Farmer from the Society launched Birth Link, a completely independent service, on behalf of Peterborough City Council. The referral rate has been good and the take up of the service, mostly by birth mothers, has been excellent.
Funding has been secured until March 2010, with a hope that the service will continue well beyond this date.
It is hoped that by recognising the ongoing needs and support of birth parents and relatives, that children will grow up in more secure placements and with a greater understanding of their birth origins.
If you would like further information about this service, please contact Gisele Farmer on 07812 208422.