The Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987

Registration of adoption societies

4.—(1) A body which is a voluntary organisation and desires to act, or to continue to act, as an adoption society may apply to the Department in the prescribed manner for registration under this Article paying such fee, if any, as may be prescribed.

(2) In considering the application, the Department shall have regard, in relation to the period for which registration is sought, to—

(a) the applicant’s adoption programme, including, in particular, its ability to make provision (either directly or by arrangement with any other body, including a Board) for children who are free for adoption (including such children who are not placed for adoption);

(b) the number and qualifications of its staff;

(c) the availability to it of competent medical, legal and social work advice;

(d) its financial resources; and

(e) the organisation and control of its operations.

(3) After taking into account, in relation to the applicant, the matters specified in paragraph (2) and any other relevant considerations, the Department—

(a) if satisfied that the applicant is likely to make, or if the applicant is an adoption society registered under Part V of the Adoption Act (Northern Ireland) 1967(1), is making an effective contribution to the Adoption Service, may register the applicant; or

(b) may refuse to register it.

(4) Registration of an adoption society on an application under paragraph (1), unless cancelled earlier under Article 5, shall last for a period of 3 years from the date of registration and shall then expire or, in the case of a registered adoption society whose further application for registration is pending at that time, shall expire on the date when that application is granted or, as the case may be, refused.

(1)

1967 c. 35 (N.I.)