ld be continued contact between the child and their family while the child is in the care of the local authority. This is appropriate for care provided under the 1989 Act, where the underlying philosophy is to work in partnership with the family and towards reunification where possible, provided that this is consistent with the child’s welfare. However, the purpose of an adoptive placement is fundamentally different as the intention is that the child should become part of another family. Therefore, where the agency is authorised to place the child for adoption, there should be no general presumption for or against contact. This is why regulation 45.2 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 (AAR) removes the general duty in the 1989 Act to promote contact. 7.2. Contact between adopted children and their birth families can be beneficial, but research15 has also highlighted that any form of contact needs careful planning and support, and that children’s views and their needs for contact may change over time so any contact plans must be kept under review. 7.3. Where the agency decides that a child should be placed for adoption, AAR 46 applies. This requires the agency to consider what the contact arrangements – the arrangements that allow any person contact with the child – will be when the agency is authorised to place the child for adoption. Until the agency is authorised to place the child for adoption, the 1989 Act will apply to contact, but it is necessary for the agency to have formed a view about future contact so that this can be discussed with the people affected, and considered by the court on any application for a placement order. Some advice on positive and problematic contact arrangements are suggested in the Supporting direct contact after adoption research.