Section 15: Inspection of premises etc.
61.Section 15 provides for a person authorised by the appropriate Minister to inspect any premises where a child is living who has been placed by an adoption agency or in respect of whom a notice of intention to adopt has been given under section 44. An officer of a local authority may only be so authorised with the consent of the authority (subsection (4)). Subsection (5) enables a person carrying out an inspection of premises under subsection (1) to visit the child there and examine the state of the premises and the treatment of the child. Subsection (2) enables the appropriate Minister to require an adoption agency to give him information and access to records (in whatever form) relating to the discharge of its functions in relation to adoption. Subsection (6) provides for the inspection of any computer being used in connection with an adoption agency’s records.
62.Subsection (7) gives any person authorised to carry out an inspection under this section a right of entry to premises at any reasonable time and a right to request reasonable assistance. He must, if required, produce documentation showing his authority to carry out the inspection (subsection (8)). Obstructing a person authorised to inspect premises or records is an offence, punishable on summary conviction by a fine up to level 3 on the standard scale (see subsection (9)).
