Part 1

Adoption
Chapter 3

Placement for adoption and adoption orders

Placement of children by adoption agency for adoption

Placement for adoption by agencies
18
1
An adoption agency may—
a
place a child for adoption with prospective adopters, or
b
where it has placed a child with any persons (whether under this Part or not), leave the child with them as prospective adopters,
but, except in the case of a child who is less than six weeks old, may only do so under section 19 or a placement order.
2
An adoption agency may only place a child for adoption with prospective adopters if the agency is satisfied that the child ought to be placed for adoption.
3
A child who is placed or authorised to be placed for adoption with prospective adopters by a local authority is looked after by the authority.
4
If an application for an adoption order has been made by any persons in respect of a child and has not been disposed of—
a
an adoption agency which placed the child with those persons may leave the child with them until the application is disposed of, but
b
apart from that, the child may not be placed for adoption with any prospective adopters.
- “Adoption order” includes a Scottish or Northern Irish adoption order.
5
References in this Act (apart from this section) to an adoption agency placing a child for adoption—
a
are to its placing a child for adoption with prospective adopters, and
b
include, where it has placed a child with any persons (whether under this Act or not), leaving the child with them as prospective adopters;
and references in this Act (apart from this section) to a child who is placed for adoption by an adoption agency are to be interpreted accordingly.
6
References in this Chapter to an adoption agency being, or not being, authorised to place a child for adoption are to the agency being or (as the case may be) not being authorised to do so under section 19 or a placement order.
7
This section is subject to sections 30 to 35 (removal of children placed by adoption agencies).