Initial contact arrangements are focused on the child’s needs with the views of the prospective adopters and birth family members taken into account. The arrangements are reviewed in accordance with the adoption support plan.
STANDARD 8 - Contact
(Adoption Agencies,
Adoption Support Agencies)
Underpinning Legislation
Adoption and Children Act 2002:
- 1 - Considerations applying to the exercise of powers
- 26 - Contact
- 27 - Contact supplementary
- 46 - Adoption orders
Children Act 1989:
Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005:
- 13 - Requirement to provide counselling and information for, and ascertain wishes and feelings of, the child
- 14 - Requirement to provide counselling and information for, and ascertain wishes and feelings of, the parent or guardian of the child and others
- 15 - Requirement to obtain information about the child
- 17 - Requirement to prepare child's permanence report for the adoption panel
- 18 - Function of the adoption panel in relation to a child referred by the adoption agency
- 22 - Requirement to consider application for an assessment of suitability to adopt a child
- 24 - Requirement to provide preparation for adoption
- 31 - Proposed placement
- 32 - Function of the adoption panel in relation to proposed placement
- 35 - Requirements imposed on the adoption agency before the child may be placed for adoption
- 36 - Reviews
- 46 - Contact
- 47 - Contact supplementary
Adoption Support Services Regulations 2005:
Further Guidance:
Outcome
- Contact with birth parents, siblings, other members of the birth family and significant others is arranged and maintained when it is beneficial to the child.
8.1.
8.2
Where siblings cannot be placed together with the same prospective adopters or adopters, contact arrangements with other siblings are made when it is in the best interests of each of the children.
8.3
Prospective adopters are helped through training and support to understand the importance for the child of contact with birth parents, siblings, members of the birth family and significant others.
8.4
The adoption agency helps individuals comply with the agreed contact arrangements through practical support, and helps manage any difficult emotional or other issues they may have because of contact. In so doing, the agency takes full account of the child’s age and level of understanding, and the individual capacities of all other parties.
8.5
Children, prospective adopters, adopters, birth parents and members of the birth family are helped to understand the harm unauthorised or unmediated contact, including through online social networks, can have and are supported if unauthorised contact is made. Prospective adopters are prepared in case this happens and are support if it does happen.