Regulation 22 Duty of adoption agency in respect of assessment of child

(1)

This regulation applies where–

(a)

a local authority–

(i)

has decided that adoption is in the best interests of a child under regulation 11(1) of the Adoption Agencies Regulations;

(ii)

has considered the possibilities for placement of that child within the British Islands; and

(iii)

considers that adoption by a person habitually resident in a Convention country outside the British Islands may be in the child’s best interests; and

(b)

the child is free for adoption by virtue of an order made under section 18 of the 1978 Act, section 18 of the Adoption Act 1976^f1 or Article 17(1) or 18(1) of the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987^f2.

(2)

The local authority shall refer the case of the child to the adoption panel together with–

(a)

the documents referred to in regulation 8 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations originally sent to the adoption panel; and

(b)

a report from the child’s social worker–

(i)

explaining why that social worker considers that adoption by a person habitually resident in a Convention country outside the British Islands may be in the child’s best interests; and

(ii)

if appropriate, having regard to the child’s age and understanding, setting out the child’s views and wishes in relation to adoption.

Annotations

Footnotes

f1: 1976 c. 36.
f2: S.I. 1987/2204.