Last week, Coram Chambers hosted the first-ever Adoption Forum conference, welcoming a full house of professionals, adoptive and birth parents, and those with lived experience of adoption.
The event, conceived and co-founded by Sarah Beskine and Sophie Hill, marked a turning point for collaborative dialogue in the adoption community.
The conference began with a warm welcome from Sarah Beskine and His Honour Judge Stephen Wildblood KC, who chaired the day’s proceedings. The energy in the room was palpable as attendees – from legal practitioners to psychotherapists and social workers, birth parents and adopted adults and adopters – came together to share knowledge and insight.
The morning panel, led by Stephen, featured Anthea Benjamin, Anne Ford, Julie Young, Kerry (an adoptive parent), and Dr Emily Phibbs. Each speaker brought a unique perspective, sparking discussion on both legal and lived realities in adoption. Mrs Justice Frances Judd’s address added further depth, highlighting the significance of current legal developments.
Before breaking for lunch, participants heard from Our Family Wizard about the support their system of communication can offer for flexible, graded contact, with varying levels of support and supervision available to fit bespoke needs.
After lunch, participants split into three focused workshops:
The legal professionals’ group tackled the current challenges of post-adoption contact, who should address it and when, and how to promote best practice and consistency.
The professionals and experts’ workshop examined the roles of different disciplines, the information needed to consider post-adoption contact, how to hear the voice of the child and families, and how support should be provided.
The lived experience group, facilitated by Anthea Benjamin and Anne Ford, explored what has helped or hindered connections, support that was missing, and essential guidance for future best practice.
Each workshop fostered honest discussion and practical insight.
Attendees’ thoughts and ideas will contribute directly to a living, working document. This evolving guide will inform best practices for adoption and contact. The drafting process will continue, with a remote review set for February 11th for lawyers and professionals, and March 26th, 2026, for all participants.
There was such a positive response to the Conference that, unfortunately, the Adoption Forum were not able to offer places to all who contacted them. Remote meetings in 2026 will be able to accommodate more participants.
The afternoon plenary offered space for feedback, debate, and further questions. Lord Justice Peter Jackson’s thoughtful remarks brought gravitas to the discussion, before Sophie Hill closed the event with gratitude and optimism for the future.
Sponsors, Coram Chambers and Our Family Wizard, along with Adoption England’s support for delegate travel, made the day possible.
The event’s success reinforces Coram Chambers’ commitment to advancing education and progress in family law – listening to those with lived experience and learning from research.
As the conversation continues with a remote meeting in spring 2026, it is clear that shared knowledge and open dialogue will help shape adoption for the better.
