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Adoption and Children Act 2002 in Scotland

2002 c. 38 · Enacted 7 November 2002 · Extends to United Kingdom

Not fully up to date. 16 changes made by later legislation have not yet been written into this text, which is revised to 30 November 2022.

See the changes not yet applied
ProvisionChangeMade by
s. 123(3)(a)words substitutedAdoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 Sch. 3 para. 58
s. 144(1)words substitutedAdoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 Sch. 3 para. 59(a)
s. 144(1)words insertedAdoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 Sch. 3 para. 59(b)
s. 30extended (N.I.)Adoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 s. 110(2)(3)
s. 34extended (N.I.)Adoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 s. 110(2)(3)
s. 36extended (N.I.)Adoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 s. 110(2)(3)
s. 63(4)(b)words substitutedAdoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 Sch. 3 para. 56
s. 65(2)(b)words substitutedAdoption and Children Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 Sch. 3 para. 57
Sch. 3 para. 94repealedSafeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 Sch. 10
s. 4AinsertedChildren and Families Act 2014 s. 5
s. 78(4)(a)words omittedData (Use and Access) Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 24(a)
s. 78(4)(b)word substitutedData (Use and Access) Act 2025 Sch. 3 para. 24(b)
s. 74excluded by 2008 c. 4, s. 67E(12) (as inserted)Crime and Policing Act 2026 s. 106(1)
s. 67applied by 2008 c. 4, s. 67E(12) (as inserted)Crime and Policing Act 2026 s. 106(1)
s. 74(1)word omittedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 106(5)(a)
s. 74(1)(c) and wordinsertedCrime and Policing Act 2026 s. 106(5)(b)

An Act to restate and amend the law relating to adoption; to make further amendments of the law relating to children; to amend section 93 of the Local Government Act 2000; and for connected purposes.

[7th November 2002]

Be it enacted by the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—C1C2C3

Annotations to the whole text

Modifications

C1

Act applied (E.W.) (30.12.2005) by The Adoptions with a Foreign Element Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/392), regs. 1(1), 52 (with regs. 53-58)

C2

Act: power to modify conferred (1.10.2009) by Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 2008 (c. 22), ss. 55, 68(2); S.I. 2009/2232, art. 2(q)

C3

Act applied (with modifications) (21.12.2018) by The Human Fertilisation and Embryology (Parental Orders) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/1412), Sch. 1

Contents

  1. Part 1: Adoption
  2. Chapter 1: Introductory
  3. Chapter 2: The Adoption Service
  4. The Adoption Service
  5. 2Basic definitions
  6. 3ZAEngland - joint arrangements etc
  7. 3AWales – joint arrangements
  8. 4BAdoption support services: duty to provide information
  9. 8Adoption support agencies
  10. Regulations
  11. Supplemental
  12. 16Distribution of functions in relation to registered adoption societies Repealed
  13. 17Inquiries Not yet in force
  14. Chapter 3: Placement for adoption and adoption orders
  15. Placement of children by adoption agency for adoption
  16. 25Parental responsibility
  17. 28Further consequences of placement
  18. 29Further consequences of placement orders
  19. Removal of children who are or may be placed by adoption agencies
  20. 30General prohibitions on removal
  21. Removal of children in non-agency cases
  22. Breach of restrictions on removal
  23. 41Recovery orders
  24. Preliminaries to adoption
  25. The making of adoption orders
  26. Post-adoption contact
  27. 51APost-adoption contact
  28. 51BOrders under section 51A: supplementary
  29. Placement and adoption: general
  30. 53Modification of 1989 Act and 2014 Act in relation to adoption
  31. Disclosure of information in relation to a person’s adoption
  32. 63Counselling
  33. 65Sections 56 to 65: interpretation
  34. Chapter 4: Status of Adopted Children
  35. 66Meaning of adoption in Chapter 4
  36. 67Status conferred by adoption
  37. 68Adoptive relatives
  38. 69Rules of interpretation for instruments concerning property
  39. 70Dispositions depending on date of birth
  40. 71Property devolving with peerages etc.
  41. 72Protection of trustees and personal representatives
  42. 73Meaning of disposition
  43. 74Miscellaneous enactments
  44. 75Pensions
  45. 76Insurance
  46. Chapter 5: The Registers
  47. 77Adopted Children Register
  48. 78Searches and copies
  49. 80Adoption Contact Register
  50. 82Interpretation
  51. Chapter 6: Adoptions with a foreign element
  52. Bringing children into and out of the United Kingdom
  53. 83Restriction on bringing children in
  54. 84Giving parental responsibility prior to adoption abroad
  55. 85Restriction on taking children out
  56. 86Power to modify sections 83 and 85
  57. Overseas adoptions
  58. 87Overseas adoptions
  59. Miscellaneous
  60. 88Modification of section 67 for Hague Convention adoptions
  61. 89Annulment etc. of overseas or Hague Convention adoptions
  62. 90Section 89: supplementary
  63. 91Overseas determinations and orders
  64. Restrictions
  65. 94Restriction on reports
  66. 97Sections 92 to 96: interpretation
  67. Information
  68. Proceedings
  69. 99Proceedings for offences
  70. 100Appeals Repealed
  71. 101Privacy
  72. The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
  73. Evidence
  74. 104Evidence of consent
  75. Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Islands
  76. 105Effect of certain Scottish orders and provisions
  77. 106Effect of certain Northern Irish orders and provisions
  78. 107Use of adoption records from other parts of the British Islands
  79. 108Channel Islands and the Isle of Man
  80. General
  81. 110Service of notices etc.
  82. Part 2: Amendments of the Children Act 1989
  83. 111Parental responsibility of unmarried father
  84. 112Acquisition of parental responsibility by step-parent
  85. 113Section 8 orders: local authority foster parents
  86. 114Residence orders: extension to age of 18
  87. 115Special guardianship
  88. 116Accommodation of children in need etc.
  89. 117Inquiries by local authorities into representations
  90. 118Review of cases of looked after children
  91. 119Advocacy services
  92. 120Meaning of “harm” in the 1989 Act
  93. 121Care plans
  94. 122Interests of children in proceedings
  95. Part 3: Miscellaneous and final provisions
  96. Chapter 1: Miscellaneous
  97. Advertisements in the United Kingdom
  98. 123Restriction on advertisements etc.
  99. 124Offence of breaching restriction under section 123
  100. Adoption and Children Act Register
  101. 125Adoption and Children Act Register
  102. 126Use of an organisation to establish the register
  103. 127Use of an organisation as agency for payments
  104. 128Supply of information for the register
  105. 128ASearch and inspection of the register by prospective adopters
  106. 129Disclosure of information
  107. 130Territorial application Not yet in force
  108. 131Supplementary Not yet in force
  109. Other miscellaneous provisions
  110. 132Amendment of Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978: contravention of sections 30 to 36 of this Act Repealed
  111. 133Scottish restriction on bringing children into or out of United Kingdom Not yet in force
  112. 134Amendment of Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978: overseas adoptions Not yet in force
  113. 135Adoption and fostering: criminal records
  114. 136Payment of grants in connection with welfare services
  115. 137Extension of the Hague Convention to British overseas territories
  116. 138Proceedings in Great Britain
  117. Amendments etc.
  118. 139Amendments, transitional and transitory provisions, savings and repeals
  119. Chapter 2: Final provisions
  120. 140Orders, rules and regulations
  121. 141Rules of procedure
  122. 142Supplementary and consequential provision
  123. 143Offences by bodies corporate and unincorporated bodies
  124. 144General interpretation etc.
  125. 145Devolution: Wales
  126. 146Expenses
  127. 147Glossary
  128. 148Commencement
  129. 149Extent
  130. 150Short title
  131. 2Registration of adoptions in Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands
  132. 4Amendment of orders and rectification of Registers and other records
  133. 5Marking of entries on re-registration of birth on legitimation
  134. 6Cancellations in registers on legitimation
  135. 4Paragraph 4
  136. Schedule 3: Minor and consequential amendments
  137. 1The Marriage Act 1949 (c. 76)
  138. 2Paragraph 2
  139. 3Paragraph 3
  140. 4Paragraph 4
  141. 5Paragraph 5
  142. 6The Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953 (c. 20)
  143. 7Paragraph 7
  144. 8The Sexual Offences Act 1956 (c. 69) Not yet in force
  145. 9The Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 (c. 46)
  146. 10Paragraph 10
  147. 11Paragraph 11
  148. 12The Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (c. 42)
  149. 13Paragraph 13
  150. 14Paragraph 14
  151. 15The Immigration Act 1971 (c. 77)
  152. 16The Legitimacy Act 1976 (c. 31)
  153. 17Paragraph 17
  154. 18Paragraph 18
  155. 19The Adoption Act 1976 (c. 36)
  156. 20The National Health Service Act 1977 (c. 49) Repealed
  157. 21The Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 28) Repealed
  158. 22Paragraph 22 Repealed
  159. 23Paragraph 23 Repealed
  160. 24Paragraph 24 Repealed
  161. 25Paragraph 25 Repealed
  162. 26Paragraph 26 Repealed
  163. 27Paragraph 27 Repealed
  164. 28Paragraph 28 Repealed
  165. 29Paragraph 29 Repealed
  166. 30Paragraph 30 Repealed
  167. 31Paragraph 31 Repealed
  168. 32Paragraph 32 Repealed
  169. 33Paragraph 33 Repealed
  170. 34Paragraph 34 Repealed
  171. 35Paragraph 35 Repealed
  172. 36The Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980 (c. 43)
  173. 37Paragraph 37 Repealed
  174. 38Paragraph 38 Repealed
  175. 39Paragraph 39
  176. 40Paragraph 40
  177. 41The Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20)
  178. 42The Child Abduction Act 1984 (c. 37)
  179. 43Paragraph 43
  180. 44The Matrimonial and Family Proceedings Act 1984 (c. 42) Not yet in force
  181. 45The Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 (c. 60)
  182. 46The Family Law Act 1986 (c. 55)
  183. 47Paragraph 47
  184. 48Paragraph 48
  185. 49Paragraph 49
  186. 50The Family Law Reform Act 1987 (c. 42)
  187. 51Paragraph 51
  188. 52Paragraph 52
  189. 53The Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987 (S.I. 1987/2203 (N.I. 22))
  190. 54The Children Act 1989 (c. 41)
  191. 55Paragraph 55
  192. 56Paragraph 56
  193. 57Paragraph 57
  194. 58Paragraph 58
  195. 59Paragraph 59
  196. 60Paragraph 60
  197. 61Paragraph 61
  198. 62Paragraph 62
  199. 63Paragraph 63
  200. 64Paragraph 64
  201. 65Paragraph 65
  202. 66Paragraph 66 Not yet in force
  203. 67Paragraph 67
  204. 68Paragraph 68
  205. 69Paragraph 69
  206. 70Paragraph 70
  207. 71Paragraph 71
  208. 72Paragraph 72
  209. 73Paragraph 73
  210. 74Paragraph 74
  211. 75Paragraph 75 Repealed
  212. 76The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 (c. 37)
  213. 77Paragraph 77
  214. 78Paragraph 78
  215. 79Paragraph 79 Not yet in force
  216. 80The Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (c. 41)
  217. 81The Child Support Act 1991 (c. 48)
  218. 82The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 36)
  219. 83Paragraph 83
  220. 84Paragraph 84 Repealed
  221. 85The Family Law Act 1996 (c. 27)
  222. 86Paragraph 86
  223. 87Paragraph 87
  224. 88Paragraph 88
  225. 89The Housing Act 1996 (c. 52) Repealed
  226. 90Paragraph 90 Repealed
  227. 91Paragraph 91 Repealed
  228. 92Paragraph 92 Repealed
  229. 93The Police Act 1997 (c. 50)
  230. 94The Protection of Children Act 1999 (c. 14) Not yet in force
  231. 95The Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 (c. 18)
  232. 96Paragraph 96
  233. 97Paragraph 97
  234. 98Paragraph 98
  235. 99Paragraph 99
  236. 100Paragraph 100 Not yet in force
  237. 101Paragraph 101
  238. 102The Access to Justice Act 1999 (c. 22) Repealed
  239. 103The Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14)
  240. 104Paragraph 104
  241. 105Paragraph 105
  242. 106Paragraph 106
  243. 107Paragraph 107
  244. 108Paragraph 108
  245. 109Paragraph 109
  246. 110Paragraph 110
  247. 111Paragraph 111
  248. 112Paragraph 112
  249. 113Paragraph 113
  250. 114Paragraph 114
  251. 115Paragraph 115
  252. 116Paragraph 116
  253. 117Paragraph 117
  254. 118The Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 (c. 43)
  255. Schedule 4: Transitional and transitory provisions and savings
  256. 6Pending applications for freeing orders
  257. 7Freeing orders
  258. 8Pending applications for adoption orders
  259. 9Notification of adoption applications Not yet in force
  260. 17Status
  261. 18Paragraph 18
  262. 19Paragraph 19
  263. 23The Children (Scotland) Act 1995 (c. 36)
  264. Schedule 5Repeals
  265. Schedule 6Glossary