THREE QUARTERS OF ADOPTED PEOPLE SAY DIRECT CONTACT WITH PARENTS SHOULD BE STANDARD PRACTICE

90% of adopted people feel that adoption should be more open, according to new research.

Over 70% of adopted people feel there is not enough information about their birth parents, and why they were adopted, while 76% said that direct contact with birth parents should be standard practice.

These new findings have been revealed by adoption service agency, Family Action Pak-UK, as part of The Big Consult - the largest piece of research into birth parents and adopted people’s experiences and feelings around the adoption process, in over 20 years.

Other key findings include that 85% of adopted people have attempted contact with birth parents after reaching 18, and 92% said they were glad that they attempted contact.

77% of adopted people reported that they had accessed mental health support as an adult. 50% of birth parents cite mental health issues as a main factor in a child’s removal, and 84% of birth parents have mental health issues currently.

62% of birth parents reported they had contact with children when they were over 18, as adults.

The Big Consult was funded by the National Adoption Strategic Team and is a major consultation of birth parents whose children have been adopted, and of people adopted from the 1950s to the present day.

Gilli Bruce, who was adopted in 1962, said: “Growing up adopted was very difficult. I had no information about my birth family and tiny snippets leaked out over the years that should have been mine to know all along. My education really suffered as when I was a teenager, I was so concerned with finding people to belong to as I did not feel that I really belonged to anyone.”

Kristy, a birth parent from Lancashire said: “The Big Consult speaks volumes, and it shows that there is a lack of understanding of a birth parent once a child is removed. I am a birth mum with 18 years life experience, and I am a survivor of domestic violence.”

Angela Frazer-Wicks, a birth parent from Norfolk adds: “Punishing victims of domestic abuse for failing to protect, and labelling parents with mental health problems as a risk to their children without doing anything to help and support these parents is a travesty. We must do better to stop parents and children being needlessly torn apart.”

The Big Consult hopes to gain an understanding of birth parents and adopted people’s feelings and experiences around the adoption process, the services they received before and after, their thoughts on how these can be improved, and their suggestions for the future of adoption.

Mike Hancock, National Strategic Lead at PAC-UK, said: “The Big Consult is one of the biggest consultations ever undertaken with adopted people and birth parents. They show a desire for much greater openness and honesty in adoption and there is a thirst for improved services from all participants, in order to address the trauma caused when children do not stay with their families.”

Sarah Johal MBE, National Adoption Lead, said: “Regional Adoption Agency Leaders really welcome the publication of The Big Consult, hearing directly from adopted people and birth parents to help shape the direction of practice and service development. The messages are clear about the need for additional support to help adopted children and adults understand their identity through life story work, therapeutic provision and ongoing relationships with birth family post adoption. This will require additional support for birth families who do play a continuing role in children’s lives, and we must have an increased national focus in policy and investment to provide support for them."

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