Adoption Basics

Openness refers to the information and contact that occurs between an adoptive family and the child or youth’s birth family and other important people in the child or youth’s life. Openness orders and agreements are a way for an adoptive child or youth to maintain contact between themselves and their birth family, including siblings, as well as other important people, such as friends and neighbours, when it is in the child’s best interest. It helps children and youth remain connected to important people and their communities and cultures while forming new relationships with their adoptive family. For First Nations, Inuit and Metis children, openness helps to develop and maintain connections with their culture, heritage, traditions and community.

Every openness arrangement is unique and can vary from exchanging non-identifying information to regular face-to-face contact and arrangements may change as the child grows and develops. As the chart demonstrates contact with individuals who are important to the child can occur on a continuum.