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.