PART IVDUTIES OF ADOPTION AGENCIES WHEN CONSIDERING ADOPTION FOR A CHILD
Provision of information to parents: decision by adoption agency to make arrangements for adoption16
1
This regulation applies where the adoption agency–
a
makes a decision under regulation 13(1) that adoption is in the best interests of the child; and
b
proposes to make arrangements for the adoption of the child.
2
The adoption agency must, within 7 days of making the decision, provide each parent or guardian of the child with–
a
a memorandum in the form set out in Schedule 2;
b
a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 3; and
c
a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 4.
3
The adoption agency must take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that–
a
each parent or guardian signs and returns to the adoption agency a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 3 or a form to like effect which certifies that they have read and understood the memorandum; and
b
each parent or guardian completes and signs the certificate in the form set out in Schedule 4 and returns it to the adoption agency within 28 days.
4
Paragraph (5) applies where the adoption agency is aware of the identity of a parent who does not have parental responsibilities or parental rights in respect of the child.
5
The adoption agency must, so far as it considers reasonably practicable to do so, make enquiries and–
a
obtain in respect of the parent the information in Part III of Schedule 1; and
b
ascertain, where possible, whether the parent intends to make an application for any parental responsibilities or parental rights in relation to the child or enter into a parental responsibilities agreement under section 4 of the 1995 Act.