It can be something of a shock for a birth parent or relative to be contacted without any prior warning or preparation, especially if you are hopeful of a reunion taking place. Therefore, we would also offer counselling to your birth parent to assist them with a decision as to how to respond to your request. It may be that they would wish to correspond with you for a period of time prior to a meeting. Birth parents may have gone on to have other children and they may need to prepare their partner and children for the news that they intend to arrange a reunion with you. Some birth parents may wish to have a significant period of preparation prior to a reunion in order to prepare themselves and their family dependent upon their own family circumstances.