Children and young people

Confidentiality

Medway Council's Adoption Agency will maintain levels of confidentiality for all adoption records as laid down in the Adoption Agency Regulations 1983. How this will be achieved is set out in the Agency's procedures. It will also liase with other involved agencies on the keeping of adoption information in their records and offer advice if appropriate.

Maintaining confidentiality does not preclude the important sharing of information as fully as possible to all parties to an adoption.

The child needs to know all the information about his or her background to help the understanding of how and why adoption occurred, as well as to develop a sense of identity.

The adopters need full information to enable them in the task of parenting the child and to help the child understand their history.

The birth parents need as much information as possible about the placement to enable them to feel confident for the future well-being of their child.

Working with other agencies

The Adoption Agency will make efforts to work with other adoption agencies and neighbouring local authorities to develop a comprehensive adoption service for the community. This will facilitate a better understanding of local needs and the provision of a wider resource base.

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