Contact after adoption

The LetterBox

What is the Letterbox?

The LetterBox is an arrangement through which birth relatives and adoptive parents can exchange information after adoption, usually once a year, at a time agreed between those involved, and with confidentiality assured.

Birth relatives have a strong need to be reassured that the child is alive and well, and sometimes would also like more detailed news of the child's health and progress, looks and interests.

Adoptive parents often find the news they receive through the LetterBox helps them to be ready for and to answer the child's questions over the years. It can act as a regular reminder to discuss adoption issues openly and regularly with the child.

Adopted children, although being part of another family, may want news of their birth family, to know their birth family still thinks of them and is interested in their progress.

Agreements are made between the adults. Birth relatives are usually birth parents, birth grandparents and birth siblings. Siblings who have been adopted by other adoptive families can have an arrangement set up between the two adoptive families. Also siblings who are placed with foster carers can have an arrangement set up between the foster carer and adoptive parents.

Sometimes the arrangement is a one way agreement. Some birth relatives, at the time of a child being placed for adoption, feel they do not want to take part in a LetterBox arrangement. However this may change in the future and so adoptive parents are asked to send in news each year, which is held in the LetterBox.

Resources

Intermediary Services in Adoption

Information Leaflet for Birth Relatives

Adobe PDF

27 kb

Finding out about birth relatives

Information leaflet for Adopted Adults

Adobe PDF

27 kb

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