Notification to [F1HSC trust] of adoption application, where child not placed by adoption agencyN.I.
22 .F2—(1) An adoption order shall not be made in respect of a child who was not placed with the applicant by an adoption agency unless the applicant has, at least 3 months before the date of the order, served notice on the F3... [F4HSC trust] within whose area he has his home of his intention to apply for the adoption order.
[F5(1A) An application for such an adoption order shall not be made unless the person wishing to make the application has, within the period of two years preceding the making of the application, given notice as mentioned in paragraph (1).
(1B) In paragraphs (1) and (1A) the references to the area in which the applicant or person has his home are references to the area in which he has his home at the time of giving the notice.]
(2) On receipt of such a notice the F6... [F4HSC trust] shall investigate the matter and submit to the court a report of its investigation and shall assist the court in any manner the court may direct.
(3) Under paragraph (2), the F7... [F4HSC trust] shall in particular investigate,—
(a)so far as is practicable, the suitability of the applicant, and any other matters relevant to the operation of Article 9 in relation to the application; and
(b)whether the child was placed with the applicant in contravention of Article 11.
F8(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F9(5) An [F4HSC trust] which receives notice under paragraph (1) in respect of a child whom the trust knows to be[F5 looked after by] another [F4HSC trust] F10... shall, not more than 7 days after the receipt of the notice, inform that other [F4HSC trust] F10... in writing, that it has received the notice.]
F1Words in art. 22 heading substituted (1.4.2022) by Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 109(5); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F2mod. by SR 2003/16
F3Words in art. 22(1) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 109(2); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F4Words in Order substituted (1.4.2009) by Health and Social Care (Reform) Act (Northern Ireland) 2009 (c. 1), ss. 32, 34(3), Sch. 6 para. 1(1)(d) (with Sch. 6 para. 1(3)); S.R. 2009/114, art. 2
F6Words in art. 22(2) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 109(2); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F7Words in art. 22(3) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 109(2); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F8Art. 22(4) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 109(3); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)
F10Words in art. 22(5) omitted (1.4.2022) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 (c. 3), s. 8(1)(b), Sch. 1 para. 109(4); S.R. 2022/102, art. 2(b)