ukpga/2002/38 — Adoption and Children Act 2002

Adoption and Children Act 2002 2002 c. 38 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:— Part 1 Adoption Chapter 1 Introductory Considerations applying to the exercise of powers 1 1 Subsections (2) to (4) apply whenever a court or adoption agency is coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child. 2 The paramount consideration of the court or adoption agency must be the child’s welfare, throughout his life. 3 The court or adoption agency must at all times bear in mind that, in general, any delay in coming to the decision is likely to prejudice the child’s welfare. 4 The court or adoption agency must have regard to the following matters (among others)— a the child’s ascertainable wishes and feelings regarding the decision (considered in the light of the child’s age and understanding), b the child’s particular needs, c the likely effect on the child (throughout his life) of having ceased to be a member of the original family and become an adopted person, d the child’s age, sex, background and any of the child’s characteristics which the court or agency considers relevant, e any harm (within the meaning of the Children Act 1989 (c. 41)) which the child has suffered or is at risk of suffering, f the relationship which the child has with relatives, with any person who is a prospective adopter with whom the child is placed, and with any other person in relation to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant, including— i the likelihood of any such relationship continuing and the value to the child of its doing so, ii the ability and willingness of any of the child’s relatives, or of any such person, to provide the child with a secure environment in which the child can develop, and otherwise to meet the child’s needs, iii the wishes and feelings of any of the child’s relatives, or of any such person, regarding the child. 5 In placing a child for adoption, an adoption agency in Wales must give due consideration to the child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background. 6 In coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child, a court or adoption agency must always consider the whole range of powers available to it in the child’s case (whether under this Act or the Children Act 1989); and the court must not make any order under this Act unless it considers that making the order would be better for the child than not doing so. 7 In this section, “ coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child ”, in relation to a court, includes— a coming to a decision in any proceedings where the orders that might be made by the court include an adoption order (or the revocation of such an order), a placement order (or the revocation of such an order) or an order under section 26 or 51A (or the revocation or variation of such an order), b coming to a decision about granting leave in respect of any action (other than the initiation of proceedings in any court) which may be taken by an adoption agency or individual under this Act, but does not include coming to a decision about granting leave in any other circumstances. 8 For the purposes of this section— a references to relationships are not confined to legal relationships, b references to a relative, in relation to a child, include the child’s mother and father. 9 In this section “ adoption agency in Wales ” means an adoption agency that is— a a local authority in Wales, or b a registered adoption society whose principal office is in Wales. Chapter 2 The Adoption Service The Adoption Service Basic definitions 2 1 The services maintained by local authorities under section 3(1) may be collectively referred to as “ the Adoption Service ”, and a local authority or registered adoption society may be referred to as an adoption agency. 2 In this Act, “registered adoption society” means— a in relation to England, a voluntary organisation which is an adoption society registered under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14) , or b in relation to Wales, a voluntary organisation which is an adoption society registered as a provider in Wales of an adoption service under Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 2), but in relation to the provision of any facility of the Adoption Service, references to a registered adoption society or to an adoption agency do not include an adoption society which is not registered in respect of that facility. 3 A registered adoption society is to be treated as registered in respect of any facility of the Adoption Service unless it is a condition of its registration that it does not provide that facility. 4 No application for registration under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 or Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 may be made in respect of an adoption society which is an unincorporated body. 5 In this Act— “ the 1989 Act ” means the Children Act 1989 (c. 41), “the 2014 Act ” means the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (anaw 4) , “ adoption society ” means a body whose functions consist of or include making arrangements for the adoption of children, “ voluntary organisation ” means a body other than a public or local authority the activities of which are not carried on for profit. 6 In this Act, “ adoption support services ” means— a counselling, advice and information, and b any other services prescribed by regulations, in relation to adoption. 7 The power to make regulations under subsection (6)(b) is to be exercised so as to secure that local authorities provide financial support. 8 In this Chapter, references to adoption are to the adoption of persons, wherever they may be habitually resident, effected under the law of any country or territory, whether within or outside the British Islands. Maintenance of Adoption Service 3 1 Each local authority must continue to maintain within their area a service designed to meet the needs, in relation to adoption, of— a children who may be adopted, their parents and guardians, b persons wishing to adopt a child, and c adopted persons, their parents, natural parents and former guardians; and for that purpose must provide the requisite facilities. 2 Those facilities must include making, and participating in, arrangements— a for the adoption of children, and b for the provision of adoption support services. 3 As part of the service, the arrangements made for the purposes of subsection (2)(b)— a must extend to the provision of adoption support services to persons who are within a description prescribed by regulations, b may extend to the provision of those services to other persons. 4 A local authority may provide any of the requisite facilities by securing their provision by— a registered adoption societies, or b other persons who are within a description prescribed by regulations of persons who may provide the facilities in question. 5 The facilities of the service must be provided in conjunction with the local authority’s other social services and with registered adoption societies in their area, so that help may be given in a co-ordinated manner without duplication, omission or avoidable delay. 6 The social services referred to in subsection (5) are the functions of a local authority which are social services functions within the meaning of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 (c. 42) or for the purposes of the 2014 Act (which, in each case, include , in particular, those functions in so far as they relate to children). England - joint arrangements etc 3ZA 1 The Secretary of State may give directions requiring one or more local authorities in England to make arrangements for all or any of their functions within subsection (3) to be carried out on their behalf by— a one of those authorities, or b one or more other adoption agencies. 2 A direction under subsection (1) may, in particular— a specify who is to carry out the functions, or b require the local authority or authorities to determine who is to carry out the functions. 3 The functions mentioned in subsection (1) are functions in relation to— a the recruitment of persons as prospective adopters; b the assessment of prospective adopters' suitability to adopt a child; c the approval of prospective adopters as suitable to adopt a child; d decisions as to whether a particular child should be placed for adoption with a particular prospective adopter; e the provision of adoption support services. 4 The Secretary of State may give a direction requiring a local authority in England to terminate arrangements made in accordance with a direction under subsection (1). 5 A direction under this section may make different provision for different purposes. 6 The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (3). Recruitment, assessment and approval of prospective adopters 3A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wales – joint arrangements 3A 1 The Welsh Ministers may direct two or more local authorities in Wales to enter into specified arrangements with each other in relation to the provision of specified services maintained under section 3(1). 2 Before giving a direction under this section the Welsh Ministers must consult the local authorities to which it is to be given. 3 Specified arrangements may include (among other things) arrangements— a as to the establishment and maintenance of a pooled fund; b as to the provision of staff, goods, services, accommodation or other resources; c for determining the amount of payment or other contribution to be made towards relevant expenditure by the authorities which are parties to the arrangements; d for working in conjunction with registered adoption societies; e as to the responsibility for, and the operation and management of, the arrangements; f as to the establishment and operation of a panel to make recommendations as to— i whether a child should be placed for adoption; ii whether a prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child; iii whether a particular child should be placed for adoption with a particular prospective adopter; g for resolving complaints about services provided in accordance with the specified arrangements; h as to the determination of disputes between the authorities which are parties to the arrangements. 4 Where the Welsh Ministers exercise their power of direction under subsection (1) they must within 21 days of the giving of the direction— a report to the National Assembly for Wales that the power has been exercised, and b lay a copy of the direction before the National Assembly for Wales. 5 In this section— “a pooled fund” is a fund made up of contributions by two or more local authorities out of which payments may be made towards relevant expenditure; “relevant expenditure” is expenditure incurred in connection with the provision of services provided in accordance with the specified arrangements; “ specified ” means specified in a direction under this section. Assessments etc. for adoption support services 4 1 A local authority must at the request of— a any of the persons mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 3(1), or b any other person who falls within a description prescribed by regulations (subject to subsection (7)(a)), carry out an assessment of that person’s needs for adoption support services. 2 A local authority may, at the request of any person, carry out an assessment of that person’s needs for adoption support services. 3 A local authority may request the help of the persons mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of section 3(4) in carrying out an assessment. 4 Where, as a result of an assessment, a local authority decide that a person has needs for adoption support services, they must then decide whether to provide any such services to that person. 5 If— a a local authority decide to provide any adoption support services to a person, and b the circumstances fall within a description prescribed by regulations, the local authority must prepare a plan in accordance with which adoption support services are to be provided to the person and keep the plan under review. 6 Regulations may make provision about assessments, preparing and reviewing plans, the provision of adoption support services in accordance with plans and reviewing the provision of adoption support services. 7 The regulations may in particular make provision— a as to the circumstances in which a person mentioned in paragraph (b) of subsection (1) is to have a right to request an assessment of his needs in accordance with that subsection, b about the type of assessment which, or the way in which an assessment, is to be carried out, c about the way in which a plan is to be prepared, d about the way in which, and time at which, a plan or the provision of adoption support services is to be reviewed, e about the considerations to which a local authority are to have regard in carrying out an assessment or review or preparing a plan, f as to the circumstances in which a local authority may provide adoption support services subject to conditions, g as to the consequences of conditions imposed by virtue of paragraph (f) not being met (including the recovery of any financial support provided by a local authority), h as to the circumstances in which this section may apply to a local authority in respect of persons who are outside that local authority’s area, i as to the circumstances in which a local authority may recover from another local authority the expenses of providing adoption support services to any person. 8 A local authority may carry out an assessment of the needs of any person under this section at the same time as an assessment of his needs is made under any other enactment. 9 If at any time during the assessment of the needs of any person under this section, it appears to a local authority that— za there may be a need for the provision to that person of services that may be provided pursuant to arrangements made by an integrated care board under the National Health Service Act 2006 (including such arrangements made by an integrated care board in the exercise of functions of another person by virtue of any provision of that Act), a there may be a need for the provision of services to that person by ... (in Wales, a Health Authority or Local Health Board), or b there may be a need for the provision to him of any services which fall within the education functions (as defined in section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996) of another local authority (as defined in section 579(1) of that Act) , the local authority must notify that integrated care board, ... Health Authority, Local Health Board or other local authority . 10 Where it appears to a local authority that another local authority could, by taking any specified action, help in the exercise of any of their functions under this section, they may request the help of that other local authority, specifying the action in question. 11 A local authority whose help is so requested must comply with the request if it is consistent with the exercise of their functions. Adoption support services: duty to provide information 4B 1 Except in circumstances prescribed by regulations, a local authority in England must provide the information specified in subsection (2) to— a any person who has contacted the authority to request information about adopting a child, b any person who has informed the authority that he or she wishes to adopt a child, c any person within the authority's area who the authority are aware is a parent of an adopted child, and d any person within the authority's area who is a parent of an adopted child and has contacted the authority to request any of the information specified in subsection (2). 2 The information is— a information about the adoption support services available to people in the authority's area; b information about the right to request an assessment under section 4 (assessments etc for adoption support services), and the authority's duties under that section and regulations made under it; c information about the authority's duties under section 4A (adoption support services: personal budgets) and regulations made under it; d any other information prescribed by regulations. Local authority plans for adoption services 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arrangements on cancellation of registration 6 Where, by virtue of the cancellation of its registration under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14) or Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 2) , a body has ceased to be a registered adoption society, the appropriate Minister may direct the body to make such arrangements as to the transfer of its functions relating to children and other transitional matters as seem to him expedient. Inactive or defunct adoption societies etc. 7 1 This section applies where it appears to the appropriate Minister that— a a body which is or has been a registered adoption society is inactive or defunct, or b a body which has ceased to be a registered adoption society by virtue of the cancellation of its registration under Part 2 of the Care Standards Act 2000 or Part 1 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 has not made such arrangements for the transfer of its functions relating to children as are specified in a direction given by him. 2 The appropriate Minister may, in relation to such functions of the society as relate to children, direct what appears to him to be the appropriate local authority to take any such action as might have been taken by the society or by the society jointly with the authority. 3 A local authority are entitled to take any action which— a apart from this subsection the authority would not be entitled to take, or would not be entitled to take without joining the society in the action, but b they are directed to take under subsection (2). 4 The appropriate Minister may charge the society for expenses necessarily incurred by him or on his behalf in securing the transfer of its functions relating to children. 5 Before giving a direction under subsection (2) the appropriate Minister must, if practicable, consult both the society and the authority. Adoption support agencies 8 1 In this Act, “ adoption support agency ” means an undertaking the purpose of which, or one of the purposes of which, is the provision of adoption support services; but an undertaking is not an adoption support agency— a merely because it provides information in connection with adoption other than for the purpose mentioned in section 98(1), or b if it is excepted by virtue of subsection (2). “ Undertaking ” has the same meaning as in the Care Standards Act 2000 (c. 14). 2 The following are excepted— a a registered adoption society, whether or not the society is registered in respect of the provision of adoption support services, b a local authority, c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ca NHS England , d a Special Health Authority ... , integrated care board (in Wales, a Health Authority or Local Health Board) , NHS trust or NHS foundation trust , e the Registrar General, f any person, or description of persons, excepted by regulations. 3 In section 4 of the Care Standards Act 2000 (basic definitions)— a after subsection (7) there is inserted— 7A “ Adoption support agency ” has the meaning given by section 8 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002. , b in subsection (9)(a) (construction of references to descriptions of agencies), for “or a voluntary adoption agency” there is substituted “ a voluntary adoption agency or an adoption support agency ” . 4 In this section “local authority” includes any body that is a local authority as defined in section 579(1) of the Education Act 1996 (in addition to the bodies mentioned in the definition in section 144(1)). Regulations General power to regulate adoption etc. agencies 9 1 Regulations may make provision for any purpose relating to— a the exercise by local authorities or voluntary adoption agencies of their functions in relation to adoption, or b the exercise by adoption support agencies of their functions in relation to adoption. 2 The extent of the power to make regulations under this section is not limited by sections 10 to 12, 45, 54, 56 to 65 and 98 or by any other powers exercisable in respect of local authorities, voluntary adoption agencies or adoption support agencies. 3 Regulations may provide that a person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of regulations under this section is to be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale. 4 In this section and section 10, “ voluntary adoption agency ” means a voluntary organisation which is an adoption society. Management etc. of agencies 10 1 In relation to local authorities, voluntary adoption agencies and adoption support agencies, regulations under section 9 may make provision as to— a the persons who are fit to work for them for the purposes of the functions mentioned in section 9(1), b the fitness of premises, c the management and control of their operations, d the number of persons, or persons of any particular type, working for the purposes of those functions, e the management and training of persons working for the purposes of those functions, f the keeping of information. 2 Regulations made by virtue of subsection (1)(a) may, in particular, make provision for prohibiting persons from working in prescribed positions unless they are registered in, or in a particular part of — a the register of social workers in England maintained under section 39 of the Children and Social Work Act 2017, b any register of social care workers in England maintained under an Order in Council under section 60 of the Health Act 1999 or any register maintained under such an Order in Council so far as relating to social care workers in England, or c the register maintained under section 80 of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016 (anaw 2) (registration of social care workers). 3 In relation to voluntary adoption agencies and adoption support agencies, regulations under section 9 may— a make provision as to the persons who are fit to manage an agency, including provision prohibiting persons from doing so unless they are registered in, or in a particular part of, one of the registers referred to in subsection (2), b impose requirements as to the financial position of an agency, c make provision requiring the appointment of a manager, d in the case of a voluntary adoption agency, make provision for securing the welfare of children placed by the agency, including provision as to the promotion and protection of their health, e in the case of an adoption support agency, make provision as to the persons who are fit to carry on the agency. 4 Regulations under section 9 may make provision as to the conduct of voluntary adoption agencies and adoption support agencies, and may in particular make provision— a as to the facilities and services to be provided by an agency, b as to the keeping of accounts, c as to the notification to the registration authority of events occurring in premises used for the purposes of an agency, d as to the giving of notice to the registration authority of periods during which the manager of an agency proposes to be absent, and specifying the information to be given in such a notice, e as to the making of adequate arrangements for the running of an agency during a period when its manager is absent, f as to the giving of notice to the registration authority of any intended change in the identity of the manager, g as to the giving of notice to the registration authority of changes in the ownership of an agency or the identity of its officers, h requiring the payment of a prescribed fee to the registration authority in respect of any notification required to be made by virtue of paragraph (g), i requiring arrangements to be made for dealing with complaints made by or on behalf of those seeking, or receiving, any of the services provided by an agency and requiring the agency or manager to take steps for publicising the arrangements. Fees 11 1 Regulations under section 9 may prescribe— a the fees which may be charged by adoption agencies in respect of the provision of services to persons providing facilities as part of the Adoption Service (including the Adoption Services in Scotland and Northern Ireland), b the fees which may be paid by adoption agencies to persons providing or assisting in providing such facilities. 2 Regulations under section 9 may prescribe the fees which may be charged by local authorities in respect of the provision of prescribed facilities of the Adoption Service where the following conditions are met. 3 The conditions are that the facilities are provided in connection with— a the adoption of a child brought into the United Kingdom for the purpose of adoption, or b a Convention adoption, an overseas adoption or an adoption effected under the law of a country or territory outside the British Islands. 4 Regulations under section 9 may prescribe the fees which may be charged by adoption agencies in respect of the provision of counselling, where the counselling is provided in connection with the disclosure of information in relation to a person’s adoption. Independent review of determinations 12 1 Regulations under section 9 may establish a procedure under which any person in respect of whom a qualifying determination has been made by an adoption agency may apply to ... the appropriate Minister for a review of that determination by a panel constituted by that Minister . 2 The regulations must make provision as to the description of determinations which are qualifying determinations for the purposes of subsection (1). 3 The regulations may include provision as to— a the duties and powers of a panel ..., b the administration and procedures of a panel, c the appointment of members of a panel (including the number, or any limit on the number, of members who may be appointed and any conditions for appointment), d the payment of fees to members of a panel, e the duties of adoption agencies in connection with reviews conducted under the regulations, f the monitoring of any such reviews. 3A Regulations made by virtue of subsection (3)(e) may impose a duty to pay to the appropriate Minister such sum as that Minister may determine. 3B The appropriate Minister must secure that, taking one financial year with another, the aggregate of the sums which become payable to him under regulations made by virtue of subsection (3A) does not exceed the cost to him of performing his independent review functions. 4 The appropriate Minister may make an arrangement with an organisation under which independent review functions are performed by the organisation on his behalf. 5 If the appropriate Minister makes such an arrangement with an organisation, the organisation is to perform its functions under the arrangement in accordance with any general or special directions given by the appropriate Minister. 6 The arrangement may include provision for payments to be made to the organisation by the appropriate Minister. 6A Payments made by the appropriate Minister in accordance with such provision shall be taken into account in determining (for the purpose of subsection (3B)) the cost to that Minister of performing his independent review functions. 7 Where the appropriate Minister is the Assembly, subsections (4) and (6) also apply as if references to an organisation included references to the Secretary of State. 8 In this section — “ financial year ” means a period of twelve months ending with 31st March, “ independent review function ” means a function conferred or imposed on an appropriate Minister by regulations made by virtue of this section , “ organisation ” includes a public body and a private or voluntary organisation. Supplemental Information concerning adoption 13 1 Each adoption agency must give to the appropriate Minister any statistical or other general information he requires about— a its performance of all or any of its functions relating to adoption, b the children and other persons in relation to whom it has exercised those functions. 2 The following persons— aa the relevant officer of the family court, and c the relevant officer of the High Court, must give to the appropriate Minister any statistical or other general information he requires about the proceedings under this Act of the court in question. 3 In subsection (2), “ relevant officer ”, in relation to the family court or the High Court, means the officer of that court who is designated to act for the purposes of that subsection by a direction given by the Lord Chancellor. 4 The information required to be given to the appropriate Minister under this section must be given at the times, and in the form, directed by him. 5 The appropriate Minister may publish from time to time abstracts of the information given to him under this section. Default power of appropriate Minister 14 1 If the appropriate Minister is satisfied that any local authority have failed, without reasonable excuse, to comply with any of the duties imposed on them by virtue of this Act or of section 1 or 2(4) of the Adoption (Intercountry Aspects) Act 1999 (c. 18), he may make an order declaring that authority to be in default in respect of that duty. 2 An order under subsection (1) must give the appropriate Minister’s reasons for making it. 3 An order under subsection (1) may contain such directions as appear to the appropriate Minister to be necessary for the purpose of ensuring that, within the period specified in the order, the duty is complied with. 4 Any such directions are enforceable, on the appropriate Minister’s application, by a mandatory order. Inspection of premises etc. 15 1 The appropriate Minister may arrange for any premises in which— a a child is living with a person with whom the child has been placed by an adoption agency, or b a child in respect of whom a notice of intention to adopt has been given under section 44 is, or will be, living, to be inspected from time to time. 2 The appropriate Minister may require an adoption agency— a to give him any information, or b to allow him to inspect any records (in whatever form they are held), relating to the discharge of any of its functions in relation to adoption which the appropriate Minister specifies. 3 An inspection under this section must be conducted by a person authorised by the appropriate Minister. 4 An officer of a local authority may only be so authorised with the consent of the authority. 5 A person inspecting any premises under subsection (1) may— a visit the child there, b make any examination into the state of the premises and the treatment of the child there which he thinks fit. 6 A person authorised to inspect any records under this section may at any reasonable time have access to, and inspect and check the operation of, any computer (and associated apparatus) which is being or has been used in connection with the records in question. 7 A person authorised to inspect any premises or records under this section may— a enter the premises for that purpose at any reasonable time, b require any person to give him any reasonable assistance he may require. 8 A person exercising a power under this section must, if required to do so, produce a duly authenticated document showing his authority. 9 Any person who intentionally obstructs another in the exercise of a power under this section is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale. Distribution of functions in relation to registered adoption societies 16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inquiries 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chapter 3 Placement for adoption and adoption orders Placement of children by adoption agency for adoption Placement for adoption by agencies 18 1 An adoption agency may— a place a child for adoption with prospective adopters, or b where it has placed a child with any persons (whether under this Part or not), leave the child with them as prospective adopters, but, except in the case of a child who is less than six weeks old, may only do so under section 19 or a placement order. 2 An adoption agency may only place a child for adoption with prospective adopters if the agency is satisfied that the child ought to be placed for adoption. 3 A child who is placed or authorised to be placed for adoption with prospective adopters by a local authority is looked after by the authority. 4 If an application for an adoption order has been made by any persons in respect of a child and has not been disposed of— a an adoption agency which placed the child with those persons may leave the child with them until the application is disposed of, but b apart from that, the child may not be placed for adoption with any prospective adopters. “ Adoption order ” includes a Scottish or Northern Irish adoption order. 5 References in this Act (apart from this section) to an adoption agency placing a child for adoption— a are to its placing a child for adoption with prospective adopters, and b include, where it has placed a child with any persons (whether under this Act or not), leaving the child with them as prospective adopters; and references in this Act (apart from this section) to a child who is placed for adoption by an adoption agency are to be interpreted accordingly. 6 References in this Chapter to an adoption agency being, or not being, authorised to place a child for adoption are to the agency being or (as the case may be) not being authorised to do so under section 19 or a placement order. 7 This section is subject to sections 30 to 35 (removal of children placed by adoption agencies). Placing children with parental consent 19 1 Where an adoption agency is satisfied that each parent or guardian of a child has consented to the child— a being placed for adoption with prospective adopters identified in the consent, or b being placed for adoption with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the agency, and has not withdrawn the consent, the agency is authorised to place the child for adoption accordingly. 2 Consent to a child being placed for adoption with prospective adopters identified in the consent may be combined with consent to the child subsequently being placed for adoption with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the agency in circumstances where the child is removed from or returned by the identified prospective adopters. 3 Subsection (1) does not apply where– a an application has been made on which a care order might be made and the application has not been disposed of, or b a care order or placement order has been made after the consent was given. 4 References in this Act to a child placed for adoption under this section include a child who was placed under this section with prospective adopters and continues to be placed with them, whether or not consent to the placement has been withdrawn. 5 This section is subject to section 52 (parental etc. consent). Advance consent to adoption 20 1 A parent or guardian of a child who consents to the child being placed for adoption by an adoption agency under section 19 may, at the same or any subsequent time, consent to the making of a future adoption order. 2 Consent under this section— a where the parent or guardian has consented to the child being placed for adoption with prospective adopters identified in the consent, may be consent to adoption by them, or b may be consent to adoption by any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the agency. 3 A person may withdraw any consent given under this section. 4 A person who gives consent under this section may, at the same or any subsequent time, by notice given to the adoption agency— a state that he does not wish to be informed of any application for an adoption order, or b withdraw such a statement. 5 A notice under subsection (4) has effect from the time when it is received by the adoption agency but has no effect if the person concerned has withdrawn his consent. 6 This section is subject to section 52 (parental etc. consent). Placement orders 21 1 A placement order is an order made by the court authorising a local authority to place a child for adoption with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the authority. 2 The court may not make a placement order in respect of a child unless— a the child is subject to a care order, b the court is satisfied that the conditions in section 31(2) of the 1989 Act (conditions for making a care order) are met, or c the child has no parent or guardian. 3 The court may only make a placement order if, in the case of each parent or guardian of the child, the court is satisfied— a that the parent or guardian has consented to the child being placed for adoption with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the local authority and has not withdrawn the consent, or b that the parent’s or guardian’s consent should be dispensed with. This subsection is subject to section 52 (parental etc. consent). 4 A placement order continues in force until— a it is revoked under section 24, b an adoption order is made in respect of the child, or c the child marries , forms a civil partnership or attains the age of 18 years. “ Adoption order ” includes a Scottish or Northern Irish adoption order. Applications for placement orders 22 1 A local authority must apply to the court for a placement order in respect of a child if— a the child is placed for adoption by them or is being provided with accommodation by them, b no adoption agency is authorised to place the child for adoption, c the child has no parent or guardian or the authority consider that the conditions in section 31(2) of the 1989 Act are met, and d the authority are satisfied that the child ought to be placed for adoption. 2 If— a an application has been made (and has not been disposed of) on which a care order might be made in respect of a child, or b a child is subject to a care order and the appropriate local authority are not authorised to place the child for adoption, the appropriate local authority must apply to the court for a placement order if they are satisfied that the child ought to be placed for adoption. 3 If— a a child is subject to a care order, and b the appropriate local authority are authorised to place the child for adoption under section 19, the authority may apply to the court for a placement order. 4 If a local authority— a are under a duty to apply to the court for a placement order in respect of a child, or b have applied for a placement order in respect of a child and the application has not been disposed of, the child is looked after by the authority. 5 Subsections (1) to (3) do not apply in respect of a child— a if any persons have given notice of intention to adopt, unless the period of four months beginning with the giving of the notice has expired without them applying for an adoption order or their application for such an order has been withdrawn or refused, or b if an application for an adoption order has been made and has not been disposed of. “ Adoption order ” includes a Scottish or Northern Irish adoption order. 6 Where— a an application for a placement order in respect of a child has been made and has not been disposed of, and b no interim care order is in force, the court may give any directions it considers appropriate for the medical or psychiatric examination or other assessment of the child; but a child who is of sufficient understanding to make an informed decision may refuse to submit to the examination or other assessment. 7 The appropriate local authority— a in relation to a care order, is the local authority in whose care the child is placed by the order, and b in relation to an application on which a care order might be made, is the local authority which makes the application. Varying placement orders 23 1 The court may vary a placement order so as to substitute another local authority for the local authority authorised by the order to place the child for adoption. 2 The variation may only be made on the joint application of both authorities. Revoking placement orders 24 1 The court may revoke a placement order on the application of any person. 2 But an application may not be made by a person other than the child or the local authority authorised by the order to place the child for adoption unless— a the court has given leave to apply, and b the child is not placed for adoption by the authority. 3 The court cannot give leave under subsection (2)(a) unless satisfied that there has been a change in circumstances since the order was made. 4 If the court determines, on an application for an adoption order, not to make the order, it may revoke any placement order in respect of the child. 5 Where— a an application for the revocation of a placement order has been made and has not been disposed of, and b the child is not placed for adoption by the authority, the child may not without the court’s leave be placed for adoption under the order. Parental responsibility 25 1 This section applies while— a a child is placed for adoption under section 19 or an adoption agency is authorised to place a child for adoption under that section, or b a placement order is in force in respect of a child. 2 Parental responsibility for the child is given to the agency concerned. 3 While the child is placed with prospective adopters, parental responsibility is given to them. 4 The agency may determine that the parental responsibility of any parent or guardian, or of prospective adopters, is to be restricted to the extent specified in the determination. Contact 26 1 On an adoption agency being authorised to place a child for adoption, or placing a child for adoption who is less than six weeks old — a any contact provision in a child arrangements order under section 8 of the 1989 Act ceases to have effect, b any order under section 34 of that Act (parental etc contact with children in care) ceases to have effect, and c any activity direction made in proceedings for the making, variation or discharge of a child arrangements order with respect to the child, or made in other proceedings that relate to such an order, is discharged. 2 While an adoption agency is so authorised or a child is placed for adoption— a no application may be made for — i a child arrangements order under section 8 of the 1989 Act containing contact provision, or ii an order under section 34 of that Act, but b the court may make an order under this section requiring the person with whom the child lives, or is to live, to allow the child to visit or stay with the person named in the order, or for the person named in the order and the child otherwise to have contact with each other. 3 An application for an order under this section may be made by— a the child or the agency, b any parent, guardian or relative, c any person in whose favour there was provision ... which ceased to have effect by virtue of subsection (1)(a) or an order which ceased to have effect by virtue of subsection (1)(b) , d if a child arrangements order was in force immediately before the adoption agency was authorised to place the child for adoption or (as the case may be) placed the child for adoption at a time when he was less than six weeks old, any person named in the order as a person with whom the child was to live , e if a person had care of the child immediately before that time by virtue of an order made in the exercise of the High Court’s inherent jurisdiction with respect to children, that person, f any person who has obtained the court’s leave to make the application. 4 When making a placement order, the court may on its own initiative make an order under this section. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5A In this section “ contact provision ” means provision which regulates arrangements relating to— a with whom a child is to spend time or otherwise have contact, or b when a child is to spend time or otherwise have contact with any person; but in paragraphs (a) and (b) a reference to spending time or otherwise having contact with a person is to doing that otherwise than as a result of living with the person. 6 In this section “ activity direction ” has the meaning given by section 11A of the 1989 Act. Contact: supplementary 27 1 An order under section 26— a has effect while the adoption agency is authorised to place the child for adoption or the child is placed for adoption, but b may be varied or revoked by the court on an application by the child, the agency or a person named in the order. 2 The agency may refuse to allow the contact that would otherwise be required by virtue of an order under that section if— a it is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in order to safeguard or promote the child’s welfare, and b the refusal is decided upon as a matter of urgency and does not last for more than seven days. 3 Regulations may make provision as to— a the steps to be taken by an agency which has exercised its power under subsection (2), b the circumstances in which, and conditions subject to which, the terms of any order under section 26 may be departed from by agreement between the agency and any person for whose contact with the child the order provides, c notification by an agency of any variation or suspension of arrangements made (otherwise than under an order under that section) with a view to allowing any person contact with the child. 4 Before making a placement order the court must— a consider the arrangements which the adoption agency has made, or proposes to make, for allowing any person contact with the child, and b invite the parties to the proceedings to comment on those arrangements. 5 An order under section 26 may provide for contact on any conditions the court considers appropriate. Further consequences of placement 28 1 Where a child is placed for adoption under section 19 or an adoption agency is authorised to place a child for adoption under that section— a a parent or guardian of the child may not apply for a child arrangements order regulating the child's living arrangements unless an application for an adoption order has been made and the parent or guardian has obtained the court’s leave under subsection (3) or (5) of section 47, b if an application has been made for an adoption order, a guardian of the child may not apply for a special guardianship order unless he has obtained the court’s leave under subsection (3) or (5) of that section. 2 Where— a a child is placed for adoption under section 19 or an adoption agency is authorised to place a child for adoption under that section, or b a placement order is in force in respect of a child, then (whether or not the child is in England and Wales) a person may not do either of the following things, unless the court gives leave or each parent or guardian of the child gives written consent. 3 Those things are— a causing the child to be known by a new surname, or b removing the child from the United Kingdom. 4 Subsection (3) does not prevent the removal of a child from the United Kingdom for a period of less than one month by a person who provides the child’s home. 5 For the purposes of subsection (1)(a), a child arrangements order regulates a child's living arrangements if the arrangements regulated by the order consist of, or include, arrangements which relate to either or both of the following— a with whom the child is to live, and b when the child is to live with any person. Further consequences of placement orders 29 1 Where a placement order is made in respect of a child and either— a the child is subject to a care order, or b the court at the same time makes a care order in respect of the child, the care order does not have effect at any time when the placement order is in force. 2 On the making of a placement order in respect of a child, any order mentioned in section 8(1) of the 1989 Act, and any supervision order in respect of the child, ceases to have effect. 3 Where a placement order is in force— a no prohibited steps order ... or specific issue order, and b no supervision order or child assessment order, may be made in respect of the child. 4 Where a placement order is in force, a child arrangements order may be made with respect to the child's living arrangements only if— a an application for an adoption order has been made in respect of the child, and b the child arrangements order is applied for by a parent or guardian who has obtained the court’s leave under subsection (3) or (5) of section 47 or by any other person who has obtained the court’s leave under this subsection. 4A For the purposes of subsection (4), a child arrangements order is one made with respect to a child's living arrangements if the arrangements regulated by the order consist of, or include, arrangements which relate to either or both of the following— a with whom the child is to live, and b when the child is to live with any person. 5 Where a placement order is in force, no special guardianship order may be made in respect of the child unless— a an application has been made for an adoption order, and b the person applying for the special guardianship order has obtained the court’s leave under this subsection or, if he is a guardian of the child, has obtained the court’s leave under section 47(5). 6 Section 14A(7) of the 1989 Act applies in respect of an application for a special guardianship order for which leave has been given as mentioned in subsection (5)(b) with the omission of the words “the beginning of the period of three months ending with”. 7 Where a placement order is in force— a section 14C(1)(b) of the 1989 Act (special guardianship: parental responsibility) has effect subject to any determination under section 25(4) of this Act, b section 14C(3) and (4) of the 1989 Act (special guardianship: removal of child from UK etc.) does not apply. Removal of children who are or may be placed by adoption agencies General prohibitions on removal 30 1 Where— a a child is placed for adoption by an adoption agency under section 19, or b a child is placed for adoption by an adoption agency and either the child is less than six weeks old or the agency has at no time been authorised to place the child for adoption, a person (other than the agency) must not remove the child from the prospective adopters. 2 Where— a a child who is not for the time being placed for adoption is being provided with accommodation by a local authority, and b the authority have applied to the court for a placement order and the application has not been disposed of, only a person who has the court’s leave (or the authority) may remove the child from the accommodation. 3 Where subsection (2) does not apply, but— a a child who is not for the time being placed for adoption is being provided with accommodation by an adoption agency, and b the agency is authorised to place the child for adoption under section 19 or would be so authorised if any consent to placement under that section had not been withdrawn, a person (other than the agency) must not remove the child from the accommodation. 4 This section is subject to sections 31 to 33 but those sections do not apply if the child is subject to a care order. 5 This group of sections (that is, this section and those sections) apply whether or not the child in question is in England and Wales. 6 This group of sections does not affect the exercise by any local authority or other person of any power conferred by any enactment, other than section 20(8) of the 1989 Act or section 76(5) of the 2014 Act (removal of children from local authority accommodation). 7 This group of sections does not prevent the removal of a child who is arrested. 8 A person who removes a child in contravention of this section is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both. Recovery by parent etc. where child not placed or is a baby 31 1 Subsection (2) applies where— a a child who is not for the time being placed for adoption is being provided with accommodation by an adoption agency, and b the agency would be authorised to place the child for adoption under section 19 if consent to placement under that section had not been withdrawn. 2 If any parent or guardian of the child informs the agency that he wishes the child to be returned to him, the agency must return the child to him within the period of seven days beginning with the request unless an application is, or has been, made for a placement order and the application has not been disposed of. 3 Subsection (4) applies where— a a child is placed for adoption by an adoption agency and either the child is less than six weeks old or the agency has at no time been authorised to place the child for adoption, and b any parent or guardian of the child informs the agency that he wishes the child to be returned to him, unless an application is, or has been, made for a placement order and the application has not been disposed of. 4 The agency must give notice of the parent’s or guardian’s wish to the prospective adopters who must return the child to the agency within the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the notice is given. 5 A prospective adopter who fails to comply with subsection (4) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both. 6 As soon as a child is returned to an adoption agency under subsection (4), the agency must return the child to the parent or guardian in question. Recovery by parent etc. where child placed and consent withdrawn 32 1 This section applies where— a a child is placed for adoption by an adoption agency under section 19, and b consent to placement under that section has been withdrawn, unless an application is, or has been, made for a placement order and the application has not been disposed of. 2 If a parent or guardian of the child informs the agency that he wishes the child to be returned to him— a the agency must give notice of the parent’s or guardian’s wish to the prospective adopters, and b the prospective adopters must return the child to the agency within the period of 14 days beginning with the day on which the notice is given. 3 A prospective adopter who fails to comply with subsection (2)(b) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both. 4 As soon as a child is returned to an adoption agency under this section, the agency must return the child to the parent or guardian in question. 5 Where a notice under subsection (2) is given, but— a before the notice was given, an application— i for an adoption order (including a Scottish or Northern Irish adoption order), ii for a special guardianship order, iii for a child arrangements order to which subsection (6) applies, or iv for permission to apply for an order within sub-paragraph (ii) or (iii), was made in respect of the child, and b the application (and, in a case where permission is given on an application to apply for an order within paragraph (a)(ii) or (iii), the application for the order) has not been disposed of, the prospective adopters are not required by virtue of the notice to return the child to the agency unless the court so orders. 6 A child arrangements order is one to which this subsection applies if it is an order regulating arrangements that consist of, or include, arrangements which relate to either or both of the following— a with whom a child is to live, and b when the child is to live with any person. Recovery by parent etc. where child placed and placement order refused 33 1 This section applies where— a a child is placed for adoption by a local authority under section 19, b the authority have applied for a placement order and the application has been refused, and c any parent or guardian of the child informs the authority that he wishes the child to be returned to him. 2 The prospective adopters must return the child to the authority on a date determined by the court. 3 A prospective adopter who fails to comply with subsection (2) is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both. 4 As soon as a child is returned to the authority, they must return the child to the parent or guardian in question. Placement orders: prohibition on removal 34 1 Where a placement order in respect of a child— a is in force, or b has been revoked, but the child has not been returned by the prospective adopters or remains in any accommodation provided by the local authority, a person (other than the local authority) may not remove the child from the prospective adopters or from accommodation provided by the authority. 2 A person who removes a child in contravention of subsection (1) is guilty of an offence. 3 Where a court revoking a placement order in respect of a child determines that the child is not to remain with any former prospective adopters with whom the child is placed, they must return the child to the local authority within the period determined by the court for the purpose; and a person who fails to do so is guilty of an offence. 4 Where a court revoking a placement order in respect of a child determines that the child is to be returned to a parent or guardian, the local authority must return the child to the parent or guardian as soon as the child is returned to the authority or, where the child is in accommodation provided by the authority, at once. 5 A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both. 6 This section does not affect the exercise by any local authority or other person of a power conferred by any enactment, other than section 20(8) of the 1989 Act or section 76(5) of the 2014 Act (removal of children from local authority accommodation) . 7 This section does not prevent the removal of a child who is arrested. 8 This section applies whether or not the child in question is in England and Wales. Return of child in other cases 35 1 Where a child is placed for adoption by an adoption agency and the prospective adopters give notice to the agency of their wish to return the child, the agency must— a receive the child from the prospective adopters before the end of the period of seven days beginning with the giving of the notice, and