A recent report commissioned by the Public Law Working Group recommends that - where it is safe and in the best interests of children - adopted children should be supported to have face to face contact with their birth parents and with other members of their birth family.
It has been incredibly difficult for adopted children and young people, and for adoptive parents, to explore face to face contact safely and with the support of professionals - especially when the children and young people are under the age of 18.
It is completely impossible for birth parents and for other members of the birth family to pursue contact once the adoption order has been made - even when the circumstances that led to a child being placed for adoption have long since resolved.
It remains to be seen whether the adequate funding will be made available to translate the recommendations into meaningful change in the life experience of adopted children and young people, adoptive families, and birth families - but given the grief and loss that adopted children and birth parents feel - and the secondary grief that adoptive parents experience - this is very welcome news.