Course description

Welcome to Contact, Birth Family and Social Media. This course is for adoptive parents, special guardians and the adoption social workers who support them. We will look at why contact matters more than ever, how to make letterbox and direct contact work, what to do when social media brings unplanned contact, and how to support your child's feelings, culture and connections.

Who it's for: Adopters, special guardians and adoption social workers

What's inside:

• Module 1: Why Contact Matters Now
• Module 2: Letterbox and Direct Contact
• Module 3: Social Media and Unplanned Contact
• Module 4: Feelings, Culture and Support

About 13 minutes of narration, 5 interactive activities, a 10-question final quiz (80% to pass) and a printable certificate of completion. Reflects law and guidance in England as at autumn 2026.

What will i learn?

• Explain the shift towards more open, relational contact after adoption in England
• Describe the main types of contact, including letterbox, digital, direct and sibling contact
• Write letters and plan direct contact in ways that keep your child at the centre
• Take practical steps to keep your family safer online and respond calmly to unplanned contact
• Recognise loyalty conflicts and cultural family expectations, especially for global majority children
• Know where to get support, from adoption support services to intermediary help
• Receive a printable certificate of completion when you pass the final quiz

Frequently asked question