The Adoption Support Services (Local Authorities) (Wales) Regulations 2004

Circumstances in which financial support may be paid

10.—(1) Financial support may be paid only to persons of the following descriptions, and only where one or more of the circumstances specified in paragraph (2) exists —

(a) a person who an adoption agency has decided in accordance with regulation 11(1) of the 1983 Regulations would be a suitable adoptive parent for a child, but the child has not been placed;

(b) a person with whom the child has been placed for adoption, but the child not been adopted;

(c) a person who has adopted a child who is under 18.

(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are —

(a) where the child has not been placed with the adoptive parents for adoption, and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can look after the child;

(b) where the child has been placed with the adoptive parents for adoption, and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can continue to look after the child;

(c) where the child has been adopted, and financial support is necessary to ensure that the adoptive parents can continue to look after the child;

(d) where the local authority are satisfied that the child has established a strong and important relationship with the adoptive parent before the adoption order is made;

(e) where it is desirable that the child be placed with the same adoptive parent as his or her brothers or sisters, or with the child with whom he or she or she has previously shared a home;

(f) where the child needs special care which requires a greater expenditure of resources by reason of illness, disability, emotional or behavioural difficulties or the continuing consequences of past abuse or neglect;

(g) where on account of the age, sex or ethnic origin of the child it is necessary for the authority to make special arrangements to facilitate the placement of the child for adoption.

(3) In each case before financial support is payable the local authority must require the adoptive parents to have agreed to —

(a) inform the local authority immediately if —

(i) the child no longer has his or her home with them (or either of them), if they have changed their address, or if the child dies, or

(ii) there is any change in their financial circumstances or the financial needs or resources of the child;

and, where the information is given orally, to confirm it in writing within seven days,

(b) complete and supply the local authority with an annual statement of their financial circumstances and the needs and financial circumstances of the child.

(4) Financial support will not be paid to meet any needs in so far as any benefit or allowance applicable to the adoptive parents as a result of their adoption of the child, is payable or available to them in respect of those needs.