Independent Birth Family Counselling Service

The principle of independent support for birth parents is a requirement of the Adoption Minimum Standards and is reflected in statutory guidance:

• "Birth parents are given access to, and are actively encouraged to use, a support worker from the time adoption is identified as the plan for the child. The support worker is independent of the child's social worker";
  Standard 12.3;
• "The agency should offer the parents the services of an independent support worker: someone who can provide advice and support and is either from another agency or adoption support agency or, at least, not a member of the team of social workers who are responsible for the child's case";
  Guidance Chapter 2.26.

Agencies are also required to offer support to other members of the child's birth family, in recognition of the fact that the decision to place a child for adoption is likely to have implications for those who have lived with, cared for, or are simply related to the child.

This service is provided on behalf of Nottinghamshire by Adoption East Midlands (Regional Adoption Agency) and it is anticipated that this service will meet the needs of the majority of birth relatives. However, if a relative has specific needs relating to their ethnicity, culture or language, alternative sources of counselling and support may be considered. Any such requests should be made to the Service Manager (Permanence).

• To provide members of birth families with the opportunity to discuss their feelings about the adoption of a child and receive support independent of their child's social worker;
• To improve the quality of contact with the child, in whatever form that takes, by helping birth family member/s to manage their own feelings;
• To direct service users to appropriate specialist services if continuing or other needs are identified.

The service will offer face-to face, virtual (via video link) or telephone support to birth family members aged 18 years or over from the point onwards that the agency has made the decision that the child should be placed for adoption.

However, birth mothers who are considering relinquishing their baby may be referred or refer themselves at the earliest opportunity to ensure they are able to access independent support in reaching their decision.

Adoption East Midlands provide support via a team of suitably trained and experienced social workers and Family Support Workers who will work directly with birth family members as required / requested.

Birth family members are able to self-refer to the Agency to discuss and receive appropriate support. Alternatively, the child’s social worker is able to consult with the Agency about what support is appropriate / can be provided and can then refer into the Agency for a support service.

Adoption East Midlands will work flexibly to meet the needs of birth parents to achieve the best outcomes. Support can be provided over the phone and / or video link, or if preferred a face to face appointment can take place either at the birth parents home or at a mutually agreed location (e.g. NCC building).

See Appendix A: Flowchart of Process

As part of the initial counselling about adoption, the social worker should inform birth parents of the availability of an independent service once the agency decision maker makes the decision that their child should be placed for adoption.

However, birth mothers who are considering relinquishing their baby may be referred or refer themselves at the earliest opportunity (i.e. before adoption panel considers whether the child should be placed for adoption) to ensure they are able to access independent support in reaching their decision.

The social worker should also consider any other birth relative aged 18 years or over who has a significant relationship with the child, and who might benefit from independent support.

Information about the Service will be shared with the birth parent by the child’s social worker.

Adoption East Midlands will contact the birth relative to have an initial discussion and to determine what support is to be provided.

Those receiving support will be asked to evaluate the service they have received using a review form. The information collected will be used to improve and develop the service.

Click here for Appendix A: Flowchart of Process.