Helping Children and Young People Understand Adoption and Access Support
As children grow and develop, their understanding of adoption often changes too. Questions that didn’t seem important when they were younger may become more significant as they move through childhood and adolescence. Children and young people may wonder:
“Why was I adopted?”
“Who made decisions about my future?”
“Why do I feel different from my friends sometimes?”
“Can I talk to someone about my adoption?”
These questions are completely normal, and having access to the right information can help children and young people feel reassured, understood and supported. That’s why Adopt London has developed a range of resources designed specifically for adopted children and young people, helping them understand their adoption story and learn about the support available to them.
Resources Designed for Children and Young People
Our Children’s Guide to Adoption Support and Young Person’s Guide to Adoption Support explain the different types of support available to adopted children and young people.
Written in an age-appropriate and accessible way, the guides answer common questions about adoption support and encourage children and young people to talk about their thoughts and feelings with trusted adults. They help reassure children that whatever they might be feeling about adoption, they are not alone and support is available.
Download the guides here: The Children’s Guide to Adoption Support , and The Young Person’s Guide to Adoption Support
Helping Children Understand Adoption
We also offer The Children’s and Young Person’s Guide to Adoption, which helps explain adoption itself and answers some of the questions children often have about their experiences. The guide explores topics such as:
- What adoption means
- Why some children are adopted
- Who makes decisions about adoption
- What changes adoption can bring
- The different people involved in a child’s journey
For many families, reading resources like these together can provide a gentle way to start conversations that might otherwise feel difficult. Download the guide here: The Children’s and Young Person’s Guide to Adoption
Talking About Adoption Together
You know your child best. Some children may want to ask lots of questions about adoption, while others may dip in and out of conversations as they grow older.
These guides can help create opportunities for discussion and can be shared in ways that suit your child’s age, understanding and individual needs. Reading them together can help children relate the information to their own experiences, encouraging open conversations and helping to reduce anxiety. Even if your child is not currently asking questions about adoption, having these resources available can show them that it is always okay to talk about adoption whenever they feel ready.
A message for Children and Young People
If you’ve found this page because you’re looking for answers about adoption, wondering why you were adopted, or simply wanting to understand more about your story, that’s okay. Lots of adopted children and young people have questions at different times in their lives. You might be curious, confused, worried, happy, proud, or feel lots of different emotions at once. There is no right or wrong way to feel.
The guides on this page have been created especially for children and young people like you. They can help you understand more about adoption and show you where you can get support if you need it. Remember, you don’t have to figure everything out by yourself. There are adults who care about you and people who can help answer your questions.
If you would like printed copies, please contact the Adopt London team.