Birth families

If your child is going to be adopted, the information here explains what will happen and outlines your rights now and in the future

This may be a very difficult time for you and you may be worried about what adoption means for you and for your child.

We offer a free and confidential service to birth parents within the Adopt South West region which provides an opportunity for you to talk through the adoption process and get support. We can support you in accessing appropriate adult services such as counselling or mental health services.

Adopt South West provides adoption support services on behalf of the local authorities Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay. Therefore, if you are a birth relative living in the Adopt South West area (even if you went through another agency, or a different local authority), please contact us if you require support or advice.

Please call 0345 155 1076 or email adoptsouthwest@devon.gov.uk to access this support.

We can support you in keeping in touch with your child’s adoptive family through:

  • the letterbox service – an exchange of letters between adopters and the birth family, or in some cases with the adopted child, where there is direct contact
  • one-to-one support and advice to birth families affected by adoption at any stage of the process