The Adoption Support Services Regulations 2005

Prescribed services

3.—(1) For the purposes of section 2(6)(b) of the Act the following services are prescribed as adoption support services (in addition to counselling, advice and information)—

(a) financial support payable under Part 3;

(b) services to enable groups of adoptive children, adoptive parents and natural parents or former guardians of an adoptive child to discuss matters relating to adoption;

(c) assistance, including mediation services, in relation to arrangements for contact between an adoptive child and a natural parent, natural sibling, former guardian or a related person of the adoptive child;

(d) services in relation to the therapeutic needs of an adoptive child;

(e) assistance for the purpose of ensuring the continuance of the relationship between an adoptive child and his adoptive parent, including—

(i) training for adoptive parents for the purpose of meeting any special needs of the child; and

(ii) subject to paragraph (4), respite care;

(f) assistance where disruption of an adoptive placement, or of an adoption arrangement following the making of an adoption order, has occurred or is in danger of occurring, including—

(i) making arrangements for the provision of mediation services; and

(ii) organising and running meetings to discuss disruptions in such placements or arrangements.

(2) The services prescribed in paragraph (1) do not include any services that might be provided in the case of an adoption of a child by his natural parent or the partner of his natural parent.

(3) The services prescribed in paragraph (1)(b) to (f) may include giving assistance in cash.

(4) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(e)(ii) respite care that consists of the provision of accommodation must be accommodation provided by or on behalf of a local authority under section 23 of the Children Act 1989 (accommodation of looked after children) or by a voluntary organisation under section 59 of that Act.