In these Regulations—

• “the Act” means the Care Standards Act 2000;

• “branch” means a branch which is not a small branch;

• “existing agency” means an adoption society which is approved under Part I of the Adoption Act 19762;

• “existing provider” means a person who carries on an existing agency;

• “new provider” means a person who carries on a voluntary adoption agency for the first time on or after 30th April 20033;

• “principal office” means a principal office which is not a small principal office;

• “registered provider” means a person who is registered under Part II of the Act as the person carrying on the voluntary adoption agency;

• “relevant number of staff” means seven full-time staff or the equivalent but does not include the manager or, as the case may be, branch manager, appointed in accordance with the Voluntary Adoption Agencies and the Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 20034;

• “small branch” means a branch where no more than the relevant number of staff are employed at any one time as social workers within the meaning of Part IV of the Act5;

• “small principal office” means a principal office where no more than the relevant number of staff are employed at any one time as social workers within the meaning of Part IV of the Act.