Regulation 4 Determining the suitability to adopt a child

(1)

Subject to regulation 5 of these Regulations, in determining the suitability of any person to adopt a child in accordance with regulation 27 (adoption agency decision and notification), the matters to be taken into account by an adoption agency are—

(a)

the prospective adopter’s report prepared in accordance with regulation 25(5);

(b)

the written report obtained in accordance with regulation 25(3)(a) (medical report);

(c)

the written report of each of the interviews in accordance with regulation 25(3)(b) (personal references);

(d)

the recommendation of the adoption panel made in accordance with regulation 26(1);

(e)

any other relevant information obtained by the adoption agency as a consequence of regulation 26(2)(b); and

(f)

in a case of a person falling within regulation 12 of the Foreign Element Regulations, any additional information obtained as a consequence of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of those Regulations.

(2)

An adoption agency shall, in determining the suitability of a couple to adopt a child, have proper regard to the need for stability and permanence in their relationship.