Birth Relative Initiated Contact (BRIC)

Recent changes in adoption law mean birth relatives can now seek to initiate contact with an adopted relative. Before these changes to the law were enacted AAA-NORCAP had long recognised this inequity and consequently campaigned vigorously for amendments to adoption law which recognised this right. Most birth relatives do not know and are still not able legally to obtain the post adoption identity of the relative they are seeking information about but now they are able to use the Intermediary Service of an Adoption Support Agency such as AAA-NORCAP to seek contact with an adopted adult.

Before embarking on this process birth relatives should enter their details on the AAA-NORCAP Contact Register – as a potential link might expedite contact. If a potential link is not found then a birth relative has the option to commission Birth Relative Initiated Contact (BRIC) work to attempt to establish contact under the exigencies of Section 98 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

BRIC work is a comprehensive service from the organisation that first provided intermediary services for birth relatives over twenty years ago and campaigned for all birth relatives to have a right to an intermediary service. The service involves establishing the post adoption identity of your relative from the Registrar General’s Office, checking their status with the NHS Contact Register, approaching the adoption agency involved for access to their files, locating the subject and provision of Intermediary Services to facilitate reunion. The cost of this extensive and mandatory is outlined on the Application form.

Please note your adopted relative must be at least 18 years old if you wish to use our services.

“As a birth mother I have much to thank NORCAP for. I met my son in December. I wish you all well in your future work, and thank you again for your support.” May