I would like the legislation to change in order to have a centralisation of records, so that access is made easier. I would also like to see those of us who have a first hand knowledge of adoption and searching working in archive centres and as counsellors. Firstly, don't let my experience put you off, there is help out there and there are some wonderful social workers out there, mine must have been the luck of the draw. Know your rights, you have the right to access files held by social services. Don't rely on a forwarding system, if you feel that information is being withheld request to see the file, again this is your right.
Some courts are more enlightened than others.
I feel it's important to emphasise that I am in no way trying to find a mother, only answers to my many questions. I feel I have a duty to my birth mother to carry out my search in a responsible manner. There is a possibility that Catherene has a family who are unaware of my existence. Be persistent and never give up. I will continue to look for Catherene for as long as it takes.