Natural Parents
7.—(1) Each local authority where it considers that adoption is the preferred option for a child, or where a child is relinquished, must provide natural parents with:—
(a)a counselling service;
(b)as much information in relation to the child as the natural parents may reasonably require, and which the local authority is able to give;
(c)an explanation and written information in respect of the following matters:—
(i)the procedure in respect of both placement for adoption and adoption, including the Adoption Register for England and Wales;
(ii)the legal implications of —
(aa)giving consent to placement for adoption under section 19 of the 2002 Act (placing children with parental consent);
(bb)giving consent to the making of a future adoption order under section 20 of the 2002 Act; (advance consent to adoption);
(cc)a placement order ;
(dd)adoption;
(2) Each local authority where it considers that adoption is the preferred option for a child, or where a child is relinquished, must ascertain the wishes and feelings of the natural parents and guardian of the child and of any other significant person the local authority considers relevant in relation to—
(a)the matters set out in section 1(4)(f)(ii) and (iii) of the 2002 Act (matters the agency must have regard to);
(b)the placement of the child for adoption and their adoption, including any wishes and feelings about the child’s religious and cultural upbringing; and
(c)contact with the child if the agency is authorised to place the child for adoption or the child is adopted.
(3) This paragraph applies where the father of a child does not have parental responsibility for the child, and the father’s identity is known to the local authority.
(4) Where paragraph (3) applies and the local authority is satisfied it is appropriate to do so the local authority must ascertain so far as possible whether the father—
(i)wishes to acquire parental responsibility for the child under section 4 of the Children Act 1989; or
(ii)intends to apply for a residence order or contact order with respect to the child under section 8 of the Children Act 1989, or where the child is subject to a care order, an order under section 34 of the Children Act 1989 (parental contact with children in care).