First ever adoption support map for birth families launched

Pam Ledward, Principal Social Work Adviser at Family Rights Group, said:

“Too often, birth families affected by adoption struggle to access the support they need. Wherever families are in the process – before, during, and after adoption proceedings – Family Rights Group’s specialist national advice service hears heart-breaking examples of families left to navigate that process alone.

“The support available to families in these situations can vary from area to area. It can also have a significant impact on the outcome for the children involved. For example, therapeutic support is often cited in family court proceedings as a necessity if a parent whose child has been adopted is to safely keep subsequent children at home. Unfortunately, such support may either not be available, or the parent may not know how or where to access it. 

“Our new interactive map will, for the first time, create a go-to resource for families to find support at this critical time.”

Katie, a member of Family Rights Group’s parents panel, said:

“When two of my children were adopted, I couldn’t find any support. I searched everywhere and felt alone. Then I found Family Rights Group which changed my life.

“Their new map will help birth parents like me, and other relatives, find support and information in our area when we need it. I and other parents have provided our input to make sure the map is useful to others in our situation.

Sarah Johal MBE, National Adoption Strategic Lead at Adoption England, said:

“We know that it can be hard for birth families to find the adoption support they need and that gaps in support exist. We wanted to work with Family Rights Group to bring details of all the services in England together in a simple and effective way, so that birth family members can easily check what services are available to them.

“After almost a year of gathering information, Family Rights Group has launched this essential map of adoption services and we are, for the first time, able to get a better picture of what services for birth families are available where, and how to access them. We now need to make sure that birth families know about this map.

“This map will also be useful for professionals working with families to help understand the support provision available in their region and local area.

“At a time when birth family members may not know who or where to turn to for help and support, this map is certain to change lives.”