Adoption England thanks Mrs Justice Judd for the Public Law Working Group (PLWG) report which makes recommendations about adoption covering contact, access to records, international adoption, consensual adoption and processes and procedures in court. We know how important it is for adopted people’s longer term emotional wellbeing and sense of identity, to maintain relationships with people significant to them and understand the reasons why they were adopted. This is a key outcome of Adoption England’s current programme of work. 

Sarah Johal MBE, our Strategic Lead said: 

“Recommendations within the PLWG broadly reflect work already underway by Adoption England working with regional adoption agencies, local authorities and other partners around culture change, to improve how adopted children stay in touch with their birth families in a supported, safe and meaningful way. The recommendations regarding adopted adults and the support required to help them access their records and access intermediary services is welcomed, and Adoption England will work with key stakeholders to continue modernise adoption to better meet the needs of children and their families.”

The full report can be viewed here: Wholesale reform to adoption process is needed, says Public Law Working Group - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary.

More information about our work around maintaining relationships can be found here: Professionals - Maintaining Relationships | Adoption England.