PART 2PROVISION OF ADOPTION SUPPORT SERVICES
Adoption support services adviser6
1
The local authority must appoint a person (an “adoption support services adviser”) to carry out the functions specified in paragraph (2).
2
The functions of the adoption support services adviser are to—
a
give advice and information to persons who may be affected by the adoption or proposed adoption of a child, including as to—
i
services that may be appropriate to those persons; and
ii
how those services may be made available to them;
b
give advice, information and assistance to the local authority which appointed him, including as to—
i
the assessment of needs for adoption support services in accordance with Part 4;
ii
the availability of adoption support services;
iii
the preparation of plans required under section 4(5) of the Act; and
c
consult with, and give advice, information and assistance to, another local authority where appropriate.
3
The local authority must not appoint a person as an adoption support services adviser unless they are satisfied that his knowledge and experience of—
a
the process of adoption; and
b
the effect of the adoption of a child on persons likely to be affected by the adoption, is sufficient for the purposes of the work that he is to perform.