Section 19: Placing children with parental consent
77.Section 19 makes provision for placing children with parental consent. It allows an adoption agency to place a child for adoption where it is satisfied each parent has given consent to placement and that consent has not been withdrawn. Placement with consent may be with prospective adopters identified in the consent or with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the agency (subsection (1)). Consent to placement with prospective adopters identified in the consent may be combined with consent to the child being subsequently placed for adoption with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the agency (subsection (2)). Consent can be withdrawn at any point before an application for the adoption order is made.
78.Subsection (3) provides that where an application has been made as a result of which a care order under the Children Act 1989 may be made and that application is pending, the provisions relating to placement of children with parental consent do not apply. Where a local authority is satisfied such a child should be adopted it must apply for a placement order under section 22(2). Where a child is placed for adoption with consent and a care order or a placement order is subsequently made in respect of the child, the authority to place for adoption provided as a result of the earlier section 19 consent no longer applies. Where a child is placed for adoption with consent and a special guardianship order is subsequently made in respect of the child, the authority to place no longer applies unless the special guardian consents, as their consent is required under section 19(1). Where a child is placed with prospective adopters and consent is then withdrawn the child continues to be treated as placed for adoption until the child is returned to the parents or any placement order application is determined (subsection (4)). Section 19 is subject to the provisions in section 52 relating to what is meant by consent. Consent must be given in a prescribed form and to ensure it is properly given in full understanding of what it involves it is intended that it will be witnessed by an officer of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service, provided for by rules made under section 102.