10.—(1) An adoption agency shall prepare and make available to any person with an interest a statement of the general criteria which the agency applies for the purpose of considering whether any person may be accepted by the agency for assessment as an adoptive parent.
(2) An adoption agency shall from time to time review the general criteria prepared by it under paragraph (1).
(3) In considering any application by a person to be assessed by the adoption agency as an adoptive parent, the agency shall apply the general criteria prepared under paragraph (1), and undertake any further steps necessary to consider the application.
(4) Where following any action mentioned in paragraph (3) the adoption agency decides–
(a)that the person should not be accepted for assessment as an adoptive parent, the agency shall give notice in writing to that person; or
(b)that the person should be accepted for assessment as mentioned, the agency shall assess the case and refer it to the adoption panel for a recommendation to the agency on the matter.
(5) Where referring the case of a prospective adopter to the adoption panel under paragraph (4), the adoption agency shall at the same time give–
(a)a copy of the report on the case to the adoption panel; and
(b)notice to the prospective adopter that the case has been referred to the adoption panel and a copy of the report provided to the panel, (excluding any information from third parties given in confidence).