[F122 Notification to local authority of adoption application.E+W
(1)An adoption order shall not be made in respect of a child who was not placed with the applicant by an adoption agency unless the applicant has, at least 3 months before the date of the order, given notice to the local authority within whose area he has his home of his intention to apply for the adoption order.
[F2(1A)An application for such an adoption order shall not be made unless the person wishing to make the application has, within the period of two years preceding the making of the application, given notice as mentioned in subsection (1).
(1B)In subsections (1) and (1A) the references to the area in which the applicant or person has his home are references to the area in which he has his home at the time of giving the notice.]
(2)On receipt of such a notice the local authority shall investigate the matter and submit to the court a report of their investigation.
(3)Under subsection (2), the local authority shall in particular investigate,—
(a)so far as is practicable, the suitability of the applicant, and any other matters relevant to the operation of section 6 in relation to the application; and
(b)whether the child was placed with the applicant in contravention of section 11.
(4)A local authority which [F3receive] notice under subsection (1) in respect of a child whom the authority know to be [F4looked after by] another local authority shall, not more than 7 days after the receipt of the notice, inform that other local authority in writing, that they have received the notice.]
Textual Amendments
F1S. 22 repealed (S.) by Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978 (c. 28, SIF 49:11), s. 66, Sch. 2 paras. 3, 5, Sch. 4
F2S. 22(1A)(1B) inserted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para. 10(1) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
F3Word in s. 22(4) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para. 10(2) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)
F4Words in s. 22(4) substituted (14.10.1991) by Children Act 1989 (c. 41, SIF 20), ss. 88, 108, Sch. 10 para. 10(2) (with Sch. 14 para. 1(1)); S.I. 1991/828, art. 3(2)