PAC-UK Services for Adopted People

Specialist, impartial support for young people and adults adopted as children or otherwise permanently placed.

Areas we serve England
Who can access this service Adults who are adopted across England. Contact our Advice Line to find out what support is available in your area.
Availability Self-referral
Professional referrals
Open access
Access this service within this local area

PAC-UK Services for Adopted People

Contact us for the latest opening times
A collection of old family photographs

About this service

Adoption is often considered a solely positive event that ensures a child grows up in a family but years of experience have shown that adoption can be challenging too, and for everyone involved.

We’re here to support adopted people whatever the challenge they face with advice, counselling and access to records, search and intermediary services. Email us direct or contact our PAC-UK Advice Line for more information on support in your area and any associated fees where applicable.

I have found the PAC-UK service to be invaluable to my emotional wellbeing.

Adopted person

More Information

We provide a wide range of services around the country to support people who were adopted or otherwise permanently placed. Contact our Advice Line to find out what support is available in your area. 

Access to adoption records, searching and intermediary services 

Many adopted adults want to find out more about the reasons for their adoption and search for and sometimes contact their birth family. Our experienced researchers can access adoption records, including the Norcap Contact Register (NCR), to work through with you and discuss whether you want to search for other family members.  

We can usually trace birth relatives if you want to make contact and are able to act on your behalf as an intermediary, giving a better chance of a positive outcome. We can support and prepare you through each step of this emotional process from discussing possible reunions and understanding legislation to initiating contact. 

If you have been separated from a relative through adoption and would like to receive an intermediary service, find out more on our FamilyConnect website, complete our expression of interest form or contact our FamilyConnect Advice Line. 

Counselling 

Being adopted as a child or permanently placed in another family can sometimes bring with it challenges that last into adulthood. Many experience emotional distress, ongoing feelings of loss and grief, low self-esteem, a sense of isolation and loneliness, identity confusion and relationship difficulties.  

Our trained counsellors provide a safe space for you to discuss and explore any issue related to your adoption or permanent placement and can actively help with processing intense feelings and identifying coping strategies. We can also help with careful preparation, support and guidance for people thinking about contacting birth relatives. 

Contact our PAC-UK Advice Line to find out more or get in touch using the form below. 

If it wasn’t for PAC-UK I don’t know where I ‘d be now. I thoroughly recommend your service.

Adopted person

PAC-UK Advice Line 

Staffed by qualified and experienced PAC-UK counsellors/social workers who can provide advice and information on all aspects of adoption and other forms of permanent care.

Telephone: 0300 1800 090
Email: [email protected]
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 10.00am-4.00pm; Thursday: 10.00am-7.30pm

FamilyConnect Advice Line

Specialist advice and support for adult adoptees, their descendants and birth relatives who wish to reconnect with their relatives.
Telephone: 0300 1800 205
Email: [email protected]
Open: Monday 3.00pm to 6.00pm, Tuesday 11.00am to 2.00pm, Thursday 1.00pm to 7.00pm

Visit the FamilyConnect website