The Adoption Panel
The Purpose of the Adoption Panel
The main purpose of the Adoption Panel is:-
- To consider whether adoption is in the best interests of a particular child and if so, whether a 'Freeing for Adoption' application should be made.
- To consider whether a prospective adopter is suitable to be an adoptive parent.
- To consider whether prospective adopters would be suitable adoptive parents for a particular child.
Supplementary functions of the panel include:
- Consideration of permanence plans for children other than adoption (including parental responsibilities order).
- To monitor and review the implementation of permanence plans for children.
- To review, after a specified time, approved adoptive parents who have not been linked with a child.
- To consider applications for adoption and residence allowances and to review the payment of these allowances.
- To advise on any other matter relating to permanency.
Where a child is linked to a prospective adopter from another agency, the linking must be considered by the adoption panel of the agency with responsibility of the child.