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Forced Adoptions Support Service
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Forced Adoptions Support Service

A free support service for people impacted by past forced adoptions. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and delivered by Relationships Australia NSW’s Wattle Place centre.

Enquire Online Via Wattle Place

Overview

Who It's For?

You can access the Forced Adoptions Support Service if you are a mother or a father whose child was taken through forced adoption, a person who was adopted under such practices, or a close family member of one of the above.

How We Help

Our team will work with you to develop skills and strategies to help ease the burden of negative impacts you may still be experiencing in your life as a result of forced adoption practices. We are based in Parramatta, but we help residents anywhere in NSW via online and phone services.

What to Expect

We have an experienced and skilled team who will listen to you and work with you to support you in achieving your goals. Our team will discuss your current situation and provide customised support for your individual circumstances. Our services are free, confidential and participation is voluntary.

The personal and psychological impacts of forced adoption and institutional care can have lifelong consequences.

 

It was common practice in the past to remove newborn babies from mothers who society deemed to be “unfit” parents. Babies of many unwed mothers were taken at birth and given to childless married couples, sometimes without consent of the mother.  

In other cases, unethical, dishonest, even illegal, methods were used to obtain consent under duress, deception, manipulation or coercion. People are often unaware of the impacts that parents and people who were adopted are often left with, including:

Mental health challenges
Struggling to find sense of belonging
Low confidence as a parent
A need to demonstrate adequacy and validate existence
Feeling shame
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

How we help:

01
Therapeutic casework, emotional support and advocacy
02
Subsidised private counselling
03
Assistance and support to access personal and adoption records
04
Assistance and support with family tracing and family reunion
05
Applying to the Small Grants program
06
Assistance to connect with support groups and networks of others with shared experiences
07
Assistance with information and referrals to other services
Forced Adoptions Support Service

"Speaking to someone who is familiar with Forced Adoptions and its possible effects proved highly valuable to me. It was the first time I felt able to speak with someone who specialises in that area and who understands my feelings and challenges. I can't thank you enough for that. The experience alone was highly healing. Thank you."

- Wattle Place client

Forced Adoptions Support Service

“I finally felt acknowledged and that’s all I have ever wanted. It’s a long-term process but I’m hopeful I can manage what I’ve been through as a part of my life now and not feel like I need to constantly run away. Everyone at Wattle Place made me feel so safe and supported.”

- Wattle Place client

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Relationships Australia NSW will be closed from Saturday 23 December 2023 until Tuesday 2 January 2024.  

Click here for more information. 

If you are in crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Relationships Australia NSW will be closed from Saturday 23 December 2023 until Tuesday 2 January 2024.  


This closure includes all local centres, head office and our customer care team. For any enquiries during this period, please email enquiries@ransw.org.au and a member of our team will be in touch as soon as we reopen.

Click here for more information. 
If you are in crisis, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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