6 Duty to promote welfare of child.

1

Without prejudice to sections 12(8) and 18(8), in reaching any decision relating to the adoption of a child, a court or adoption agency shall have regard to all the circumstances but—

a

shall regard the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child concerned throughout his life as the paramount consideration; and

b

shall have regard so far as practicable—

i

to his views (if he wishes to express them) taking account of his age and maturity; and

ii

to his religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.

2

Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (b) of subsection (1), a child twelve years of age or more shall be presumed to be of sufficient age and maturity to form a view for the purposes of that paragraph.