[F1(1)Information entered in the register, or compiled from information entered in the register, may only be disclosed under subsection (2)[F2, (2A) or (3) or section 128A].
(2)Prescribed information entered in the register may be disclosed by the Secretary of State or the registration organisation—
(a)where an adoption agency is acting on behalf of a child who is suitable for adoption [F3or for whom a local authority in England is considering adoption], to the agency to assist in finding prospective adopters with whom it would be appropriate for the child to be placed,
(b)where an adoption agency is acting on behalf of prospective adopters who are suitable to adopt a child, to the agency to assist in finding a child appropriate for adoption by them.
[F4(2A)Regulations may make provision permitting the disclosure of prescribed information entered in the register, or compiled from information entered in the register—
(a)to an adoption agency or to a Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish adoption agency for any prescribed purpose, or
(b)for the purpose of enabling the information to be entered in a register which is maintained in respect of Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and which contains information about children who are suitable for adoption or prospective adopters who are suitable to adopt a child.]
(3)Prescribed information entered in the register, or compiled from information entered in the register, may be disclosed by the Secretary of State or the registration organisation to any prescribed person for use for statistical or research purposes, or for other prescribed purposes.
(4)[F5Regulations] may prescribe the steps to be taken by adoption agencies in respect of information received by them by virtue of subsection (2) [F6or (2A)].
(5)Subsection (1) does not apply —
(a)to a disclosure of information with the authority of the Secretary of State,F7...
F7(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6)Information disclosed to any person under subsection (2)[F8, (2A)] or (3) may be given on any prescribed terms or conditions.
(7)[F9Regulations] may, in prescribed circumstances, require a prescribed fee to be paid to the Secretary of State or the registration organisation—
(a)by a prescribed adoption agency in respect of information disclosed under subsection (2) [F10or (2A)],
[F11(aa)by a prescribed Welsh, Scottish or Northern Irish adoption agency in respect of information disclosed under subsection (2A),] or
(b)by a person [F12in respect of information disclosed under subsection (2A) or (3)].
(8)If any information entered in the register is disclosed to a person in contravention of subsection (1), the person disclosing it is guilty of an offence.
(9)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (8) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both.]
Textual Amendments
F1Ss. 125-131 cease to have effect (S.) (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 11(1); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F2Words in s. 129(1) substituted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(2); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F3Words in s. 129(2)(a) inserted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), ss. 7(5), 139(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(b)
F4S. 129(2A) inserted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(3); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F5Word in s. 129(4) substituted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(4)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F6Words in s. 129(4) inserted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(4)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F7S. 129(5)(b) and preceding word omitted (13.5.2014) by virtue of Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(5); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F8Word in s. 129(6) inserted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(6); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F9Word in s. 129(7) substituted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(7)(a); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F10Words in s. 129(7)(a) inserted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(7)(b); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F11S. 129(7)(aa) inserted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(7)(c); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
F12Words in s. 129(7)(b) substituted (13.5.2014) by Children and Families Act 2014 (c. 6), s. 139(6), Sch. 1 para. 6(7)(d); S.I. 2014/889, art. 5(f)
Commencement Information
I1S. 129 in force at 25.7.2014 by S.I. 2014/1961, art. 2