(1)The appropriate Minister may arrange for any premises in which—
(a)a child is living with a person with whom the child has been placed by an adoption agency, or
(b)a child in respect of whom a notice of intention to adopt has been given under section 44 is, or will be, living,
to be inspected from time to time.
(2)The appropriate Minister may require an adoption agency—
(a)to give him any information, or
(b)to allow him to inspect any records (in whatever form they are held),
relating to the discharge of any of its functions in relation to adoption which the appropriate Minister specifies.
(3)An inspection under this section must be conducted by a person authorised by the appropriate Minister.
(4)An officer of a local authority may only be so authorised with the consent of the authority.
(5)A person inspecting any premises under subsection (1) may—
(a)visit the child there,
(b)make any examination into the state of the premises and the treatment of the child there which he thinks fit.
(6)A person authorised to inspect any records under this section may at any reasonable time have access to, and inspect and check the operation of, any computer (and associated apparatus) which is being or has been used in connection with the records in question.
(7)A person authorised to inspect any premises or records under this section may—
(a)enter the premises for that purpose at any reasonable time,
(b)require any person to give him any reasonable assistance he may require.
(8)A person exercising a power under this section must, if required to do so, produce a duly authenticated document showing his authority.
(9)Any person who intentionally obstructs another in the exercise of a power under this section is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
Commencement Information
I1S. 15 in force at 30.12.2005 for W. by S.I. 2005/3112, art. 2(d)
I2S. 15 in force at 30.12.2005 for E. by S.I. 2005/2213, art. 3(i) (with savings and transitional provisions in S.I. 2005/2897, arts. 3-16)