Keeping Connected

“Adoption has come to represent the best of what we do in establishing a family for life for a child who may not otherwise have had one. And in some respects, it represents the worst of what we do in severing a child from their family of origin…. Adoption creates both a fundamental sense of hope for the future, but can also create a profound sense of uncertainty, loss, and grief.” —Dr John Simmonds OBE, Director of Policy, Research and Development, Coram BAAF, United Kingdom

Keeping Connected: Supporting Adoptive Families & Birth Relatives

Maintaining relationships with birth relatives helps adopted children feel connected to their identity and life story. Our service supports adoptive families, birth relatives, and young people with safe and supported ways to keep in touch.

We help children and young people maintain safe and meaningful relationships with birth relatives through agreed contact arrangements. This can include:

• Organising and supporting in-person or virtual contact

• Facilitating communication through letters, photos, videos, or digital messages

• Offering guidance and emotional support to adoptive parents, birth families, and young people

Need advice or support?

• Monday–Thursday: 9:30am – 4:00pm and Friday: 9:30am – 3:30pm
  (Not open on Bank Holidays)

•  Call on 03303 550 333 or email
  • Bristol – letterboxbristol@adoptionwest.co.uk
  • Gloucester  – letterboxgloucester@adoptionwest.co.uk
  • Trowbridge – letterboxtrowbridge@adoptionwest.co.uk

Ways to Stay in Touch

1. Meet-Up Time
Face-to-face contact between your child and their birth relatives. We’ll help plan and support these visits, including being present if needed.

2. Adult-to-Adult Contact
Meetings between adoptive parents and birth relatives — without the child — to share updates or build understanding.

3. Letterbox (or Mailbox)
Exchange letters, drawings, photos, or videos via our service. We check all communications before forwarding them to ensure they are appropriate and in the child’s best interest.

4. Digital Communication
With mutual agreement, you may choose to connect via email, WhatsApp, or similar. This sits outside formal agreements.

After Your Child Turns 18

Young adults can choose to continue, pause, stop, or change contact arrangements. We can offer support until age 21, or 25 with an EHCP.