Next Step is here for birth parents where there has been a statutory Health and Social Care Trust decision that their child should be adopted. This is called a ‘best interests decision’ and means they will no longer be the legal parent of their child or children.

Trust Social Workers involved with the parent and child can refer the parent to Next Step for support and guidance.

These parents are already in adverse circumstances which have led to the decision to place their child for adoption. The final loss of their child, the court process and decision-making regarding any future contact, means even further trauma and distress.

The Next Step service is dedicated to supporting birth parents through this difficult process.