New resource for people adopted from overseas
Intercountry adoptees will find it easier to search for their birth relatives following the launch of a new resource.
A search guide for people adopted from overseas and their families was recently released by The Benevolent Society’s Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC).
The guide includes fact sheets on searching for birth relatives in 15 countries and the personal stories of several adoptees and their families.
It was compiled by two final year social work students, Naomi Watson and Rachel Martin (now a DoCS caseworker), with help from PARC staff and DoCS’ Director of Adoption and Permanent Care Services, Mary Griffin, who assisted PARC to contact overseas agencies and translate correspondence.
“Searching for birth relatives is always a delicate process, but when it involves a different culture, geography, history, religion and language, there are other dimensions that have to be negotiated,” said PARC Manager Angharad Candlin.
“Our new guide will make it easier for intercountry adoptees who want to explore their identity further.”
The search guide is available from the Post Adoption Resource Centre for $60 (including postage). For further details call 02 9365 3444 or email parc@bensoc.org.au.