Adult Adoptees

Many adoptees find they need additional support after reaching adulthood. This may include advice about how to obtain their adoption records, guidance on contacting their birth family, or counselling/therapy to tackle ongoing impacts of early childhood experiences.

While statutory support for adoptees in Scotland ends on their 18th birthday, it is important to remember that all adoptees in Scotland are considered to be care-experienced, which can sometimes make it easier to access relevant support. Adopted people may want to speak to their local authority to enquire about any support that might be available in their area. Colleges and universities may also be able to provide support to care-experienced students.

If you are seeking advice or support, the following links may be of use.

Scottish Government Adoption Information	https://www.mygov.scot/adoption-information	Official guidance on how to access information about your adoption.
National Records of Scotland Adoption Records	https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/registration/adoption	Information for anyone who was born in Scotland and is seeking details about their birth or their adoption certificate.
Birthlink	https://birthlink.org.uk/	Birthlink is a charity which provides a range of services to help individuals and families affected by adoption, including assistance with tracing and contacting birth families.
Adoption UK’s Services and Support for Adopted People	https://www.adoptionuk.org/Listing/Category/support-for-adopted-people	The UK’s leading adoption charity offers advice and support for adoptees of all ages through online resources, a dedicated Information and Support line, and youth outreach programmes.
The Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS)	https://www.saas.gov.uk/full-time/support-for-care-experienced-students	SAAS can offer financial support to pay for university/college tuition fees and living costs. These payments can take the form of a bursary, living costs support or a loan. Find out more on their website.
The Dunbar Project	https://www.thedunbarproject.org.uk/	The Dunbar Project (formerly Adoptee Futures) aims to help create a better future for adoption by reclaiming the adoption narrative and helping adult adoptees heal through their trauma. The Dunbar Project is a registered mental health CIC and provides various training, workshops, support groups, coaching, and events.
How to Be Adopted	https://howtobeadopted.com/	How To Be Adopted is a UK-based organisation run by and for adopted people. Through face-to-face and virtual meet-ups and retreats, adoptees can connect and share with one another, improving their wellbeing and sense of belonging. How To Be Adopted also works on a national level to influence UK adoption policy specifically around the provision of support for adult adoptees.
Health in Mind Historic Adoption Peer Support Service	https://health-in-mind.org.uk/how-we-can-help/national-services/historic-adoption-peer-support-service/	The mental health charity operates a peer support service for anyone affected by historical forced adoptions.
The Scottish Adult Adoptee Movement	https://adultadoptee.org.uk/scottish-adult-adoptee-movement/	The Scottish Adult Adoptee Movement campaigns for rights and appropriate services for adult adoptees. Their website has resources and blogs written by adoptees, and they also run regular adoptee-only events and meet-ups to help adoptees understand, articulate and heal.
Who Cares? Scotland	https://www.whocaresscotland.org/about-us/	Who Cares? Scotland is Scotland’s only national independent membership organisation for care experienced people. The charity campaigns for the rights of care experienced people and operates a helpline service for anyone with a history of care experience.
Intercountry Adoptee Voices (ICAV)	https://intercountryadopteevoices.com/	International organisation that aims to educate, support, connect, collaborate, galvanise and give voice to intercountry adoptees from around the world.