Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992

[F1 167ZLA Entitlement: prospective adopters with whom looked after children are placed N.I.

(1) Subsection (3) applies in a case involving a child who is looked after by an authority and who is, or is expected to be, placed by the authority under Article 27(2)(a) of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, in the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (2), with an approved foster parent who is also an approved prospective adopter.

(2) The circumstances are that—

(a) the authority—

(i) is considering adoption for the child, or

(ii) has decided by virtue of regulation 11 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989 that it is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child, and

(b) such conditions as may be prescribed are satisfied.

(3) Section 167ZL has effect as if the following references or definitions were such references or definitions as may be prescribed—

(a) the reference in subsection (2)(a) to a child being placed for adoption under the law of any part of the United Kingdom,

(b) the reference in subsection (3) to the week in which the person is notified that he has been matched with the child for the purposes of adoption,

(c) the reference in subsection (5) to placement, or expected placement, for adoption.

(4) Where, by virtue of subsections (1) to (3), a person becomes entitled to statutory adoption pay in respect of a child who is, or is expected to be placed as mentioned in subsection (1), the person may not become entitled to payments of statutory adoption pay as a result of the child being, or being expected to be, placed for adoption.

(5) In this section, “approved foster parent”, “approved prospective adopter”, “authority” and “child who is looked after by an authority” have the same meaning as in section 167ZBA.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 167ZLA inserted (15.3.2015) by Work and Families Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 (c. 1), ss. 9(4), 23(1); S.R. 2015/86, art. 3(1)(g)