Search Legislation

Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

26Looked after children: adoption not proceeding
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes

(1)This section applies where—

(a)persons (“prospective adopters”) give notice under section 18(2) in relation to a child,

(b)the child has a home with the prospective adopters,

(c)the child was not placed with the prospective adopters in pursuance of arrangements made by an adoption agency or a registered adoption society for the adoption of the child by the prospective adopters, and

(d)the child is being looked after by a local authority (the “relevant local authority”).

(2)The prospective adopters may give notice to the relevant local authority of their intention not to retain the care of the child.

(3)The authority may give notice to the prospective adopters of its intention not to allow the child to remain in the care of the prospective adopters.

(4)Where notice is given by virtue of subsection (2) or (3) the prospective adopters must, before the expiry of the period of 7 days beginning with the day on which notice is given, deliver the child to—

(a)the authority, or

(b)a person nominated by the authority for the purposes of this section.

(5)If an application for an adoption order in relation to the child has been made by the prospective adopters, notice under subsection (3) may be given only with leave of the court which is hearing the application.

(6)If an application for an adoption order in relation to the child is refused or withdrawn, the child—

(a)must be delivered to the relevant local authority only if the authority requires it, and

(b)where such a requirement is made, must be delivered before the expiry of the period of 7 days beginning with the day on which the requirement is made.

(7)Where an application by the prospective adopters for an adoption order in relation to the child has been made but not disposed of, any right of the relevant local authority to require the child to be delivered otherwise than by virtue of this section is suspended.

(8)A person who fails to deliver a child in contravention of this section commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale or both.

(9)The court by which a person is convicted by virtue of subsection (8) may order that the child in respect of whom the offence is committed be delivered to the child’s parent or guardian or, as the case may be, the relevant local authority.

(10)In this section “registered adoption society” has the meaning given by section 2(2) of the 2002 Act.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources