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Hi has anyone used this service to trace a birth parent. I have full details of the adoption process for my relative, the birth certificate of child and birth parent however the adoption agency no longer exists.
What records/details do Norcap have access to that i do not to warrant the £65 initial fee.
I have been stung for fees and time wasters in my search which causes distress and frustration hence my caution and request for any personal experiences of this service.
The relative under no circumstances wants the aid of a social worker or 'counselling"
Thank you
j
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Hi Julie,
Firstly,if the the adoption took place before 1975 there is **no option** on a Counciller,,its part and parcel of accessing the adoption information by the Adoptee only.,,,and those born after 1975 after are advised to access one,although not compulsary,,,,,,,
You **can not** unless you are the adoptee,sibling or now a birth parent undertake any access to any adoption information.this is confidential information,
Norcap work to gain access to -Adoption-files,,,,No Adoption files are held by them,,they can gain access to many none public information keeping within the Personal Data Information Act,
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Not sure if this is relevant but I used Norcap 20 odd years ago as an aid to finding my birth parents as no internet then and found it helpful .I was adopted in 1951 so had to see someone to warn me about what I was embarking on. All of it was worth it for what I gained.I've never regretted doing any of it and am still searching for more siblings and take advice and help from anyone offering. This site has also been invaluable to me.
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Thanks both, I appreciate the comments. We are aware that information will only be given to the relative concerned.
My relative will not under any circumstances commit to seeing any counsellor. It is accepted that in the event of the birth parent being located an intermediary would be used. There is no way it would be appropriate in those circumstances for names and addresses to be just handed over before an intermediary sought to ascertain whether or not the birth parent wished further communication.
What my relative is really trying to come to grips with is having to go through the trial of searching through the UK data protection act and legislation to find out where or which parts states and prohibits him being given copies of any file notes kept relating to himself and his personal circumstances.
Kay you mention the 'no option' before 1975, what we are trying to ascertain was which legislation this refers to
I have now registered with Norcap on behalf of the relative so we will continue to research and wait and see
thanks again
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From what I understand the counselling doesn't amount to much at all. It is really just to ensure that the adoptee is aware that they may face rejection if the birth mother is found. They want the adoptee to have the counselling to ensure that they are prepared for what their file contains.
In 99% of cases this wouldn't be a problem but can you imagine how someone could react if they found out, without counselling, that they were conceived through an incestuous rape? I realise that this is "worst case scenario"stuff but.........Having said that I did know of someone who had a child adopted in those circumstances.
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Julie Hi,
The Adoptee will be given copies of all information held relevant to their adoption,unless anything in it is deemed un-related,,the information held on their adoption is not under any Data Protection to themselves -only to others,,,
This file information can be sometimes very raw and needs some preperation with the adoptee just incase,,,,,,!!
You yourself will not be able to see any files information.it will only be given to the adoptee themselves,
The Law as its laid down is ---persons whos Adoption took place before 1975,will not be given acccess to Adoption information prior to an informal meeting with a trained councillier,there is no option if this information is wanted ,its a condition by law,,
No information is passed by an intermediary unless permission is given by the adoptee or birth family,privacy is uppermost respected,,,
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Hi Julie
All information in your friend's adoption file is highly confidential. Only the adopted person is allowed access to his/her file.
Birth family members have no legal rights to the contents of an adoption file.
Birth family members can only apply for contact through an Adoption Support Agency who are government accredited to give mediation. ie NORCAP and After Adoption are ASA's.
In regards to the counselling... it's an informal chat and nothing heavy, basically running through the 'what ifs'.
After Adoption have an internet forum... you might like to post your query there or ring their helpline.
Hope this helps.
Cheers Gerry
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Hi Julie
I had to see a social worker as I was adopted before 1975, he came to my house and just briefly explained that before 1975 birth parents were told that they would never be found so to be careful with any contact as they may noy have told their husband that they had a child adopted, also that you dont know what you may find out , as said in a previous thread, and that was about it, so is nothing for your relative to be worried about. Norcap are very good and very helpful, but in my case my birth mother had passed away and none of her subsequent children know about me so no-one was looking for me, I have only just found this out about 2 months ago when I found a relative on Genes, have also found my sister through this site, the people on here are brilliant and will help all they can. So please tell your relative not to give up hope, I had been searching, on and off, for about 20 years.
Good Luck with your search,
Dawn
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