EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations amend the Adoption Agencies (Wales) Regulations 2005 (“the Principal Regulations”), which make provision relating to the exercise by adoption agencies (local authorities and registered adoption societies) of their functions in relation to adoption under the Adoption and Children Act 2002.
Further amendments are made to the Principal Regulations by the Adoption Agencies (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. Those Regulations, in the main, substitute a new Part 4 in the Principal Regulations to provide for a two stage approval process for prospective adopters. Those Regulations were subject to the negative procedure by the National Assembly for Wales.
The amendments made by these Regulations place a requirement on adoption agencies, when assessing the suitability of a couple to adopt a child, to have proper regard to the need for stability and permanence in their relationship. The amendments made by these Regulations should be read in conjunction with the amendments made by the Adoption Agencies (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.
The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result it was not considered necessary to carry out a regulatory impact assessment as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations.