Services for Adults Adopted as Children

PAC-UK's specialist service provides support for adults adopted as children, and for adults otherwise permanently placed as children. We offer advice, access to adoption records, searching and intermediary services and counselling. Our PAC-UK Advice Line can provide you with more information on services you can access in your region and associated fees where applicable.

A specialist service

Birth MotherAdoption is often considered a solely positive event that ensures a child grows up in a family, and at the same time allows the creation or extension of a family. However, years of experience have shown that adoption can be very challenging too, and for all parties involved. Adults who were adopted as children often find that they struggle with a range of specific issues for which they need support from counsellors who understand adoption. This is where PAC-UK can help.

Please feel welcome to contact us with any queries you may have, whether or not listed on this site.

Services we offer

The services that PAC-UK can offer may vary around the country. Our Advice Line will be able to help you look at what is available to you.

National PAC-UK Advice Line: 0300 1800 090

Our telephone advice line is open Monday, Tuesday and Friday 10.00am-4.00pm, Wednesday and Thursday 10.00am-7.30pm (excluding bank holidays).

FamilyConnect Advice Line: 0300 1800 205

Our dedicated FamilyConnect Advice Line supports adult adoptees, their descendants and birth relatives who wish to reconnect with their relatives - this line is open each Monday 3.00pm to 6.00pm (excluding bank holidays), Tuesday 11.00am-2.00pm and Thursday 1.00pm to 7.00pm. You can also email familyconnect@pac-uk.org.

Access to Adoption Records, Searching and Intermediary Service

Counsellor 2Many adopted adults want to find out more about the reasons for their adoption which can lead to them searching for and sometimes contacting their birth family. We can access adoption records and work through them with you and discuss whether you want to look for your birth family. Our experienced researchers can usually trace birth family members and we can make intermediary contact with them on your behalf giving a better chance of a good outcome and giving you support through this emotional process. This service offers preparation for possible contact and/or reunion with birth relatives, as well as initiation of contact with birth relatives, in accordance with relevant legislation.

If you have been separated from a relative through adoption and would like to receive an intermediary service, please complete our expression of interest form or contact us (see dedicated number and mailbox below) for a discussion about your particular situation and for information about the costs of the service. You can also download our PAC-UK Private Intermediary Service Flyer.

On 3 April 2020 services delivered by Adoption Services for Adults (ASFA), including the management of the Norcap Contact Register (NCR) transferred to Family Action, and will now be delivered by PAC-UK. This means we can check the NCR for links on behalf of adult adoptees and their relatives. For all NCR enquiries email familyconnect@pac-uk.org or call our FamilyConnect Advice Line on 0300 1800 205 (opening hours listed above).

Please visit our Private Intermediary Service page for more information.

Counselling

PAC-UK's counselling service is also for adults who as children were permanently placed in a family other than their birth family, yet not adopted. We aim to provide a safe space where any issue related to adoption/permanent placement can be explored. We also endeavour to actively help with processing intense feelings and identifying coping strategies. Careful preparation, support and guidance with regard to the many issues around contact with birth relatives, in accordance with relevant legislation, are core to our practice.

There are many different reasons for seeking counselling, these may include: emotional distress, ongoing feelings of loss and grief, low self esteem, a sense of isolation and loneliness, identity confusion and relationship difficulties. Our PAC-UK Advice Line can provide you with more information on services you can access in your region and associated fees where applicable. Please contact us for details.

Locations and fees

Face-to-face services take place at PAC-UK's premises in London and Leeds, as well as at a number of monthly outreach surgeries in boroughs around the country - currently the majority of services are being delivered virtually. Please contact us for details.

'Adopted for life' short-film

We premiered 'Adopted for life' at our 'Voices of adopted people: Messages for change' event that took place on Monday 18 October 2021 during National Adoption Week. A huge thank you from all at PAC-UK to our incredible Adopteens for sharing their stories.

Service User Feedback

I have found the PAC-UK service to be invaluable to my emotional wellbeing.Adopted person

I knew my situation was my own, but I didn't realise I felt so guilty about aspects of my life. I felt happy that I had turned out ok! I also felt great joy at realising and discussing the things I have dealt with and to be praised on the way I did so. Thank you so much.Adopted person

Very kind, sensitive and in tune.Adopted person

My counsellor was so good that I was able to talk to her about other issues that were indirectly involved. The support has been amazing. Thank you.Adopted person

I am still attending counselling. I feel I still have a long way to go but feel much more hopeful of my future. If it wasn’t for PAC-UK I don’t know where I ‘d be now. I thoroughly recommend your service.Adopted person