(1)A placement order is an order made by the court authorising a local authority to place a child for adoption with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the authority.
(2)The court may not make a placement order in respect of a child unless—
(a)the child is subject to a care order,
(b)the court is satisfied that the conditions in section 31(2) of the 1989 Act (conditions for making a care order) are met, or
(c)the child has no parent or guardian.
(3)The court may only make a placement order if, in the case of each parent or guardian of the child, the court is satisfied—
(a)that the parent or guardian has consented to the child being placed for adoption with any prospective adopters who may be chosen by the local authority and has not withdrawn the consent, or
(b)that the parent’s or guardian’s consent should be dispensed with.
This subsection is subject to section 52 (parental etc. consent).
(4)A placement order continues in force until—
(a)it is revoked under section 24,
(b)an adoption order is made in respect of the child, or
(c)the child marries or attains the age of 18 years.
“Adoption order” includes a Scottish or Northern Irish adoption order.