Like the light in the dark: A Hertfordshire University evaluation of the Adoptionplus Birth Relative Counselling Service

It is essential that there is good research to find out what helps birth relatives, how best we can support them and how birth relatives experience services. This chapter will offer an evaluation of the Adoptionplus Birth Relative Counselling Service.
Adoptionplus has been providing a Birth Relative Counselling service since 2004, using a uniquely developed service structure and approach. Since that time they have worked with nearly a thousand birth relatives with referrals to the service coming from a number of Local Authorities around the UK. Although Adoptionplus received feedback from birth relatives reporting positive changes to their lives as a result of the counselling, the agency wanted a more in-depth understanding of its provision. They approached Hertfordshire University as they wanted to better understand what aspects of their service were effective, why it was effective and how it could be improved.