Clauses 53-62 relating to the disclosure of information about an adopted person are very complex. We would be extremely concerned if the intention of this bill is to diminish existing rights for adopted people.

Our experience here at After Adoption shows large numbers of 18 year olds walk through our doors when they come to University in Greater Manchester. It feels like a `right of passage' when leaving home for the first time. Many of these young people feel stress and divided loyalties doing this. This has also been replicated in the other areas we work. It is important for adopted adults at whatever age they choose to take forward this process, and be supported by the establishment by acknowledging this is a normal thing to want to know about your origins.

We as a part of good practice have regular post adoption panels, with local authorities, where the reopening of closed adoptions and contact for children under 18 with birth families and siblings is planned and carried forward. Young people open their adoptions with the support of their adoptive families.

After Adoption receives approximately 1000 referrals per year from adult adopted people through our freephone helpline. The majorities of these adults believes that their Adoption is successful but still want access to their Birth information and believe that their Birth Family is still significant to them.