Birth Records Counselling

Information for adopted adults wishing to seek information from their birth records

We can provide information leaflets to adopted adults wishing to seek information from their birth records.  These leaflets are:

• Accessing Birth Records: Information for People who have been Adopted in Scotland
• Accessing Birth Records: Information for People who have been Adopted in England and Wales

To request one of these leaflets, please contact the Panel Administrator on 01467 628335 or email adoption@aberdeenshire.gov.uk stating which leaflet you want.

Wanting to find out more about our origins is an important part of establishing our identity.  Our Social Work Service provides a counselling and support service for those wishing to seek information and / or trace birth relatives.  If you wish to request this service please contact the Panel Administrator on 01467 628335 or email adoption@aberdeenshire.gov.uk, providing information about your request and situation.

We do not offer a tracing service, but can provide advice and guidance on how individuals can do this for themselves.

You will be offered the opportunity to meet with a Social Worker, where you will be required to provide proof of your identity in order to make sure confidentiality.  Your adoption certificate, passport or driving license can provide this.

Standard 11 of the National Care Standards for adoption agencies sets out the standard of service that you can expect from us.

Further sources of information

The British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) have useful information on their website, www.baaf.org.uk

BAAF have also developed an Adoption Search and Reunion website which gives information for adopted people, birth relatives and adoptive parents.

Birthlink, 21 Castle Street, Edinburgh EH2 3DN www.birthlink.org.uk

For people who were born or adopted in England and Wales:

AAA - NORCAP (a national organisation focussed on supporting adults affected by adoption)
112 Church Road
Wheatley
Oxfordshire
OX33 1LU
www.norcap.org.uk

Representations and complaints

Whilst it is our intention to provide a good service, if you have issues regarding representation or a complaint, please ask for the leaflet “Have your Say: Compliments, Comments and Complaints”, which is available from all Social Work Offices.

As Aberdeenshire Council is regulated by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland (SCSWIS), you may also complain to:

SCSWIS
Johnston House
Rose Street
Aberdeen
AB10 1UD
Tel: 01224 793870