BAAF is very pleased to announce that the campaign to enable descendants of persons adopted before 30th December 2005 to access an intermediary service has been successful.

On 9th December 2013 the Government supported this amendment to the Children and Families Bill by adding a new clause which recognises descendants of adopted people as having a prescribed relationship under Section 98 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. The new clause will enable regulations to be made to extend access to intermediary services to those who have a prescribed relationship with the adopted person. The Government will be undertaking a consultation in the New Year before Regulations are made and the law implemented.

The campaign to address this anomaly in the law has been run by a group of committed organisations and individuals for a number of years. We are grateful for the concerted efforts of Baroness Sally Hamwee, with the support of Baroness Elizabeth Butler-Sloss and Nick de Bois, MP, who ensured that the matter was raised in both Houses of Parliament, and helped to bring the campaign to a successful conclusion.

For further information about how the new clause will be implemented please read this policy statement issued by the Department for Education.