The Family Procedure Rules 2010 No. 2955 (L. 17)

PART 16 E+W REPRESENTATION OF CHILDREN AND REPORTS IN PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING CHILDREN

CHAPTER 9 E+W REPORTING OFFICER

When the court appoints a reporting officer E+W

16.30.  In proceedings to which Part 14 applies, the court will appoint a reporting officer where—

(a) it appears that a parent or guardian of the child is willing to consent to the placing of the child for adoption, to the making of an adoption order or to a section 84 order; and

(b) that parent or guardian is in England or Wales.

Appointment of the same reporting officer in respect of two or more parents or guardians E+W

16.31.  The same person may be appointed as the reporting officer for two or more parents or guardians of the child.

The duties of the reporting officer E+W

16.32.—(1) The reporting officer must witness the signature by a parent or guardian on the document in which consent is given to—

(a) the placing of the child for adoption;

(b) the making of an adoption order; or

(c) the making of a section 84 order.

(2) The reporting officer must carry out such other duties as are set out in Practice Direction 16A.

(3) A report to the court by the reporting officer is confidential.

(4) The reporting officer's duties must be exercised in accordance with Practice Direction 16A.