Relationships

Home life

Adoption and Fostering

What you need to know

Adoption and fostering are two different things. Being adopted is a legal process which means that you will become part of a new family and that you will no longer belong to your birth family.

Being fostered means you will be looked after by your foster carer in their home but you will still be able to have regular contact with your family. Your birth parents will still be responsible for you.

If you are adopted and decide to trace your birth parents, you must be aware that this may be a frustrating and emotional time for you and your family. Remember you must be over 18 (or 16 in Scotland) to make enquiries to find out who your birth parents are.

What you can do

You may be thinking about tracing your birth parents? If so:

Recognise that it can be a long, frustrating and emotional process.
Talk to your adoptive parents and family members beforehand to make them aware of the situation - they might be able to give you information that could help you.
Make sure that you stay realistic - don't think that your birth parents might be better than your adoptive parents.
If you were adopted in England or Wales, the 1976 Adoption Act means you are entitled to the information on your birth certificate and to know which agency or court dealt with your adoption.
If the adoption agency still exists, they may allow you to view your files.