Birth relatives
The Intermediary Services for birth relatives offers assistance to:
- birth relatives residing overseas, of people who have been placed for adoption with families living in the UK
- birth relatives residing in the UK, of people who may have been placed for adoption with families overseas.
- birth relatives of people now living in the UK but whose relative was adopted from the country of origin to another country.
If the adopted person is under the age of 18 years we regret that regulations do not allow IAC to provide a service. In certain circumstances however, such as a wish to pass on important information, a service may be offered.
If you are aware of the organisation that was involved in the placement of your relative and you know that the person was adopted into the UK then you are advised to contact IAC via the placement agency in your country. If you are not sure of the placement agency you can contact IAC directly if you are certain that the adopted person came to the UK.
Because of the nature of the work, IAC may need to work in partnership with different organisations and independent bodies both in the UK and overseas in order to provide a comprehensive intermediary service.
IAC takes great care,as far as possible that the other organisations or independent bodies possess the requisite qualifications, skills and experience to provide the service and have suitable arrangements for handling sensitive material, if the country is outside the EU. IAC may at times use the services of an independent researcher/genealogist in the UK or in the overseas country. IAC will make every effort to ensure that the standards are met.
As intermediary work takes time, service users are advised that, while every effort will be made to expedite the process, it is not possible for IAC to guarantee results or time scales.
IAC intermediary counsellors are qualified and experiences Social Work Practitioners and/or Counsellors and the agency adheres to strict codes of conduct with regard to confidentiality and record keeping. Confidentiality will be maintained in all cases except in the event of concerns about a child's welfare, where it cannot be guaranteed.
Following your initial contact with the Practitioner, IAC will forward details of the service and if you wish to proceed further IAC will make arrangements to meet with you or make arrangements for a local representative to meet with you. You will be asked to provide documentary proof to show that you are related to the person you are seeking.
There may be a charge for this service and this will be discussed with you.