2. In regulation 4 (exceptions) of the Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005(1), insert after paragraph (3)—
“(4) An undertaking is not an adoption support agency(2) if the undertaking is carried on by an individual who only provides adoption support services (otherwise than in a partnership with others) under a contract for services with either—
(a)an agency(3) in respect of which a person is registered under Part 2 of the 2000 Act as the person carrying on the agency, or
(b)an adoption agency(4).”.
Section 8 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (“the 2002 Act”) provides that “adoption support agency” means an undertaking the purpose of which, or one of the purposes of which, is the provision of adoption support services. Section 2(6) provides that “adoption support services” means counselling, advice, and information, and any other services prescribed by legislation.
Agency is defined in regulation 2(1) of the Adoption Support Agencies (England) and Adoption Agencies (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2005 as an adoption support agency.
Section 2(1) of the 2002 Act provides that a local authority or registered adoption society may be referred to as an adoption agency.