The Adoption Agencies Regulations 1983

Adoption agency's duties in respect of a child and his parents or guardian

7.—(1) When an adoption agency is considering adoption for a child it shall either—

(a) in respect of the child, having regard to his age and understanding, and as the case may be his parents or guardian, so far as is reasonably practicable—

(i) provide a counselling service for them,

(ii) explain to them the legal implications of and procedures in relation to adoption and freeing for adoption, and

(iii) provide them with written information about the matters referred to in head (ii), or

(b) satisfy itself that the requirements of sub-paragraph (a) have been carried out by another adoption agency.

(2) Where, following the procedure referred to in paragraph (1), an adoption agency is considering adoption for a child, the agency shall—

(a) set up a case record in respect of the child and place on it any information obtained by virtue of this regulation,

(b) obtain, so far as is reasonably practicable, such particulars of the parents or guardian and having regard to his age and understanding the child as are referred to in Parts I and III to V of the Schedule together with any other relevant information which may be requested by the adoption panel,

(c) arrange and obtain a written report by a registered medical practitioner on the child's health which shall deal with the matters specified in Part II of the Schedule, unless such a report has been made within six months before the setting up of the case record under sub-paragraph (a) and is available to the agency,

(d) arrange such other examinations and screening procedures of an tests on the child and, so far as is reasonably practicable, his parents, as are recommended by the adoption agency's medical adviser, and obtain a copy of the written report of such examinations, screening procedures and tests, and

(e) prepare a written report containing the agency's observations on the matters referred to in this regulation, which shall be passed together with all information obtained by it by virtue of this regulation to the adoption panel or to another adoption agency.

(3) Where the identity of the father of an illegitimate child is known to the adoption agency, it shall so far as it considers reasonably practicable and in the interests of the child—

(a) carry out in respect of the father the requirements of paragraph (1)(a) as if they applied to him unless the agency is satisfied that another adoption agency has so complied with those requirements,

(b) obtain the particulars of him referred to in Parts III and IV of the Schedule together with any other relevant information which may be requested by the adoption panel, and arrange and obtain a copy of the written report of such examinations, screening procedures and tests on him as are recommended by the adoption agency's medical adviser, and

(c) ascertain so far as possible whether he intends to apply for custody of the child.