Independent and confidential adoption counselling
Birth family counselling is an independent and confidential service for birth relatives of children who have been or are about to be adopted.
You are offered the chance to talk and will be supported in coming to terms with your grief and loss.
What support is available for birth families?
Support includes:
general advice and information about adoption
legal advice and information about adoption
advocacy support to help birth family members get their views across when dealing with children’s services and other official agencies
counselling or therapeutic support
support groups for birth families affected by adoption.
Birth family counselling is available through our independent partner agency, Hear 2 Listen. Your conversations are private and will not be shared unless you agree with your support worker that it would be in the child’s best interests for some information to be shared. The only exception to this is if concerns come up about the safety or wellbeing of a child, where the support worker will share their concerns.
How to book an appointment
Hear 2 Listen provides free, confidential counselling sessions for birth relatives affected by adoption. Their trained and compassionate team offers a safe, non-judgmental space to talk about experiences such as grief, loss, identity and reconnection. Support is available online, by phone, or in person for those living in Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes. They also offer group sessions, providing the opportunity to meet others who have been through similar experiences.
To refer yourself, visit the Hear 2 Listen website, call 01767 319505, text 07435 609324 or drop them an email.
Additional resources for birth families
The Family Rights Group offers guidance and support for birth relatives of children who have been adopted or may be adopted. Their interactive map connects families to free services, including:
general and legal advice
advocacy to help share your views with Children’s Services and other agencies
counselling or therapeutic support
support groups for birth families
guidance on contributing to a child’s life story book
help with contact arrangements
advice on accessing adoption records and information held by agencies
support for reconnecting with an adult relative who was adopted.
You can explore these resources and find local services through the Family Rights Group website.