- Latest available (Revised)
- Point in Time (01/12/2003)
- Original (As enacted)
Version Superseded: 01/04/2004
Point in time view as at 01/12/2003. This version of this provision has been superseded.
You are viewing this legislation item as it stood at a particular point in time. A later version of this or provision, including subsequent changes and effects, supersedes this version.
Note the term provision is used to describe a definable element in a piece of legislation that has legislative effect – such as a Part, Chapter or section.
Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978, Section 1 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 08 October 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
Changes and effects yet to be applied by the editorial team are only applicable when viewing the latest version or prospective version of legislation. They are therefore not accessible when viewing legislation as at a specific point in time. To view the ‘Changes to Legislation’ information for this provision return to the latest version view using the options provided in the ‘What Version’ box above.
(1)It is the duty of every local authority to establish and maintain within their area a service designed to meet the needs, in relation to adoption, of—
(a)children who have been or may be adopted;
(b)parents and guardians of such children; and
(c)persons who have adopted or may adopt a child;
and for that purpose to provide the requisite facilities, or secure that they are provided by approved adoption societies.
(2) The facilities to be provided as part of the service maintained under subsection (1) include—
F1(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(b)arrangements for assessing children and prospective adopters, and placing children for adoption;
[F2(bb)counselling and assistance (but, without prejudice to sections 51 to 51B, not assistance in cash) to children who have been adopted and to persons who have adopted a child; and
(c)counselling for other persons if they have problems relating to adoption.]
(3)The facilities of the service maintained under subsection (1) shall be provided in conjunction with the local authority’s other social services and with approved adoption societies in their area, so that help may be given in a co-ordinated manner without duplication, omission or avoidable delay.
[F3(3A)In this Part, references to adoption are to the adoption of children, wherever they may be habitually resident, effected under the law of any country or territory, whether within or outside the British Islands.]
(4)The services maintained by local authorities under subsection (1) may be collectively referred to as “:the Scottish Adoption Service”:, and a local authority or approved adoption society may be referred to as an adoption agency.
Textual Amendments
F1S. 1(2)(a) repealed (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, ss. 98(1), 105(5), Sch. 2 para. 2(a), Sch. 5 (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(7) (as amended by S.I. 1997/744, arts. 2, 3)
F2S. 1(2)(bb)(c) substituted for s. 1(2)(c) (1.4.1997) by 1995 c. 36, s. 98(1), Sch. 2 para. 2(b) (with s. 103(1)); S.I. 1996/3201, art. 3(7) (as amended by S.I. 1997/744, arts. 2, 3)
F3S. 1(3A) inserted (2.7.2001) by 1999 c. 18, s. 9; S.S.I. 2001/235, art. 2
Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.
Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.
Point in Time: This becomes available after navigating to view revised legislation as it stood at a certain point in time via Advanced Features > Show Timeline of Changes or via a point in time advanced search.
Geographical Extent: Indicates the geographical area that this provision applies to. For further information see ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
Show Timeline of Changes: See how this legislation has or could change over time. Turning this feature on will show extra navigation options to go to these specific points in time. Return to the latest available version by using the controls above in the What Version box.
Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.
Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:
Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including: