The Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention) (Scotland) Regulations 2003

Procedure following approval by the adoption agency

9.—(1) Where the adoption agency is satisfied that the prospective adopter is eligible to adopt a child under the law of Scotland and has approved the prospective adopter as suitable to be an adoptive parent (“its decision”) it shall send to the Central Authority within 7 days after the date of making its decision–

(a) written confirmation of its decision; and

(b) a copy of the report prepared for the purpose of regulation 6(7).

(2) The Central Authority may seek further information from the adoption agency, if the Authority considers it is appropriate to do so.

(3) If the Central Authority is satisfied that the adoption agency has complied with these Regulations and that all the relevant information has been supplied by that adoption agency, the Central Authority shall send to SOCA–

(a) a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 1 confirming that–

(i) the prospective adopter is eligible to adopt;

(ii) the prospective adopter has been assessed in accordance with these Regulations;

(iii) the prospective adopter has been approved as suitable to be an adoptive parent; and

(iv) the child will be authorised to reside permanently within the United Kingdom if entry clearance and leave to enter or remain as may be necessary, is granted and not revoked or curtailed and a Convention adoption order or Convention adoption is made;

and

(b) the documents referred to in paragraph (1)(a) and (b) of this regulation.

(4) The Central Authority shall notify the adoption agency and the prospective adopter in writing that the certificate and the documents have been sent to SOCA.