Maintaining relationships: Information for birth relatives

Our Maintaining Connexions Team:

• Use the agreement form completed by your child’s social worker to set up the arrangements for indirect exchanges.
• Sends you reminders of when you need to write a letter, share news etc and lets you know when there is something that has come from your child’s adoptive family.
• Makes sure items that are part of your exchange ie letters, photos, pictures are shared safely.
• Helps protect everyone’s privacy.
• Supports you if you need help writing letters or managing feelings.

Our Family Connexions Team:

• Offers emotional support around staying connected with your child.
• Helps you understand adoption and what indirect and direct contact means.
• Can give you tips and resources to make indirect and direct contact positive.
• Can support you if you have direct contact arrangements with your child.

Tips for writing your letters and news

• Keep it simple and positive.
• Share news about yourself (hobbies, achievements).
• Share something about your child (what you hope for them).
• Avoid asking for personal details or making promises you can’t keep.

Example letters can be found on page 4

Need Support?

It’s normal to have big feelings after adoption. You are not alone. ACE can help you:

• Talk about your feelings.
• Find ways to cope with sadness or worry.
• Get advice on staying connected to your child and their adoptive family.

Contact us to get some support (Microsoft Form)