Adopted adults
We are fully committed to supporting
adopted people who request access to their adoption
records.
In order to access your records, you need to write to us yourself.
No one can access your records on your behalf, although you may
bring someone with you to your interview.
How to access your records
Please print out and complete our Access to Records form, then
post it to the following address:
Action for Children
Business Admin Support Officer
Performance Improvement and Inclusion
Division
3 The Boulevard
Ascot Road
Watford
WD18 8AG
UK
Support
We recognise that the decision to request access to information
may be difficult. You may not know how much information may be
available. You might not be supported by those close to you, the
information may be distressing, and it may be written in language
we would not use today. You may need to ask for clarification or
discuss this information.
Anyone requesting access to information from our files must
attend an interview with an adoption support worker, no matter when
the adoption was arranged. This is so you can discuss the many
complex issues involved in adoption and, in particular, what is
involved in searching for someone from the past.
The adoption support worker will be able to tell you how we can
help or, if you prefer, give you information about independent
adoption support agencies. If you already have information about
your birth relatives and need someone independent to make initial
contact, then we can act as an intermediary for you.
Negative experiences
Most people adopted through Action for Children had a happy
experience. However, for some people this was not the case. If your
childhood experiences were painful, traumatic or unhappy, we would
like you to tell us.
Action for Children is fully committed to taking the necessary
action when incidents of abuse are brought to our attention. We are
also equally committed to arranging appropriate support for anyone
who has suffered abuse while in the care of an Action for Children
adopter. Please read the following PDF for more information.
Further help
If you have any questions or would like more information, please
don't hesitate to contact us.