Financial Effects of the Act
81.Financial effects of the Act for local authorities are minimal. Welfare structures and adoption procedures required by the Convention are already in place in the United Kingdom as a result of earlier social services legislation.
82.At present, section 57(3) of the Adoption Act 1976 provides for payment to be made to an adoption agency for services in connection with the adoption of a child in respect of expenses reasonably incurred by the agency. Adoption agencies raise charges in respect of services provided to prospective adoptive parents who apply to adopt a child from overseas; section 57(3) is not amended by this Act. Also, so far as Central Authorities are concerned in meeting the requirements of the Convention, the work currently undertaken in connection with intercountry adoption will continue with no significant change.