ess are those which are mutually agreed between the birth family, relatives and others and the adopters, and have the details and expectations set out and confirmed in writing. The importance of clear boundaries and expectations for all parties in contact 120 arrangements is highlighted in the Supporting direct contact after adoption research. 7.11. Where siblings cannot be placed together with the same family, it is important to ensure that contact arrangements between them are given very careful attention and plans for maintaining contact are robust. Contact arrangements may need to be varied as the children’s relationships and need for contact change over time. Contact arrangements with a child’s relatives may take the form of indirect contact, with letters and cards and some background information about the child’s progress being sent via a social worker. The practicalities of such arrangements require careful planning, see chapter 4. 7.12. In some cases there may be some form of direct contact. Where the child has siblings who are placed separately, arrangements may be made for visits and family meetings between adoptive families. Sometimes, too, visits from or meetings with grandparents, or former foster carers, may be beneficial to the child. With appropriate preparation and support, direct contact with a birth parent or guardian may, for example, help to reassure a child who is anxious about their parent’s well-being. 7.13. AAR 46.3 stipulates that in coming to a decision on the contact arrangements, the agency is required to:  take into account the wishes and feelings of the parent or guardian of the child. Where the father of the child does not have parental responsibility for the child and his identity and whereabouts are known to the agency – and the agency