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

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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.

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. 

PAC-UK Advice Line 

Our advice line can support you with any questions you might have relating to your adoption or permanent placement and tell you what services are available in your area. 

Telephone: 0300 1800 090 

Open: Mon, Tue and Fri 10am – 4pm, Wed and Thu 10am – 7.30pm (except bank holidays) 

FamilyConnect Website and Advice Line 

Our FamilyConnect website and advice line supports adult adoptees, their descendants and birth relatives who are thinking about tracing their origins and reconnecting with family members. 

Telephone: 0300 1800 205 

Website: www.familyconnect.org.uk  

Email: [email protected] 

Open: Mon 3pm – 6pm, Tue 11am – 2pm, Thu 1pm – 4 pm (except bank holidays) 

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. 

Need different support?

Whatever issues you or your family face, we are here to help. If this service isn’t right for you, you can find a different service, contact our helpline, FamilyLine or browse our self-help articles to find the right support for you.

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Call, text, email or web chat FamilyLine

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried or upset about any aspect of your family life, FamilyLine is here for you. We offer free emotional support and guidance on family relationships, conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more.

Contact FamilyLine