Adoption

The meaning of adoption is that your birth mum and dad are no longer your legal parents and you belong forever to your adopted family.  Children can be adopted at any age, not just as babies; in fact most people are adopted as children.  Being “in care” does not mean that you are going to be adopted, some children are and some aren’t, it all depends on what is best for each person.

If you are worried about whether or not you may be adopted in the future, you should talk to your social worker about what it would mean for you.  Books are
available for children who might be adopted or whose siblings are going to be
adopted.  If you have any queries you should speak to the adoption
support team on 01707 897654.

If you are adopted you have the right, when you are 18, to look for your birth parents.  It can be very hard thinking about your birth family and can make you feel very confused or sad.  It is a good idea to talk to someone about these feelings. In Hertfordshire there is a counsellor who works specifically with people thinking about tracing their birth parents and you can find this number in the list of help lines and useful organisations and useful numbers.