Coram Chambers is proud to announce that Alex Clift, a Pupil Barrister with our chambers, has recently contributed an important article to Family Law Week.
Titled “Post-Adoption Contact – Is a Sea Change on the Horizon?” the article explores the evolving landscape of post-adoption contact and its implications for adopted children and their birth families.
In this article, Alex addresses the significant consequences of adoption, particularly the traditional severance of ties between adopted children and their birth families. She highlights the existing legal framework, which allows for limited post-adoption contact, usually in the form of letterbox exchanges, but suggests that this approach may no longer adequately serve the needs of children or their families.
Drawing on recent research, and with reference to the Public Law Working Group (PWLG) report, Alex argues for a more progressive and child-centred approach. She emphasises that well-facilitated face-to-face contact can have considerable benefits for children, aiding in their sense of identity and well-being. She calls for a substantial shift in judicial perspectives and practice, advocating for more comprehensive training for adoptive parents and increased support for birth families.
The article provides a thought-provoking analysis of the current practices surrounding post-adoption contact and offers compelling recommendations for reform.
To read the full article and gain deeper insights into this critical issue, please visit Family Law Week here.
