The Adoption Support Services Regulations 2005

Review of financial support payable periodically

20.—(1) This regulation applies where the local authority provide financial support payable periodically.

(2) The local authority shall review the financial support—

(a) annually, on receipt of the statement from the adoptive parent mentioned in regulation 12;

(b) if any relevant change of circumstances or any breach of a condition mentioned in regulation 12 comes to their notice;

(c) at any stage in the implementation of the plan that they consider appropriate.

(3) In paragraph (2) a relevant change of circumstances is any of the changes that the adoptive parent has agreed to notify under regulation 12.

(4) Regulations 14 and 15 apply in relation to a review under this regulation as they apply in relation to an assessment under Part 4.

(5) If the local authority propose, as a result of the review, to reduce or terminate financial support or revise the plan, before making that decision the local authority must give the person an opportunity to make representations and for that purpose they must give the person notice of the proposed decision and the time allowed for making representations.

(6) But paragraph (5) does not prevent the local authority from suspending financial support pending that decision.

(7) The notice must contain the information mentioned in regulation 17(3) and, if applicable, a draft of the revised plan.

(8) The local authority must, having regard to the review, and after considering any representations received within the period specified in the notice—

(a) decide whether to vary or terminate payment of the financial support or whether to seek to recover all or part of any financial support that has been paid; and

(b) where appropriate, revise the plan.

(9) The local authority must give the person notice of their decision including the reasons for it and, if applicable, the revised plan.