otected information on the grounds that it was in the interests of the adopted person’s welfare, contrary to the views expressed by the person the information is about. This discretion may come into play where, for example, one of the birth parents agrees to the disclosure of protected information but the other does not. Disclosing protected information about children (Section 62) 11.53. Where a person applies to the AAA for the disclosure of protected information, (see the practice guidance Adoption: Access to Information and Intermediary Services paragraphs 61-74 chapter 7), and any of that information is about a child, the agency again has the discretion not to proceed with the application unless it considers it appropriate to do so. Where the agency determines to proceed with the application it must first take all reasonable steps to obtain the views of any parent or guardian of the child, and the child, if the agency considers it appropriate having regard to their age and understanding, as to the disclosure of the information. 11.54. Therefore, where the information concerns an adopted child, the agency must take steps to seek the views of the adoptive parents. Where a person applies to the agency for information that identifies both an adult and an adopted child, the agency must also take reasonable steps to obtain the views of the adult as to the disclosure of that information. However, notwithstanding those views, the adopted child’s welfare must continue to be the agency’s paramount consideration in deciding whether to disclose the information. 11.55. The agency may then disclose the information if it considers it appropriate to do so. In deciding if it is appropriate to disclose the information where any of the information is about a child:  if the child is a