Adoption and Children Act 2002 (UK)

Product Information

However, these provisions will only apply to adoptions that take place after the Act was implemented. It is also intended that this independent review mechanism will also be used to review decisions made by adoption agencies concerning the disclosure of protected information held by the agency, where the Agency has a discretion under the Act as to whether to disclose such information. A close relative or private foster carer may apply for non-agency adoption if the child has lived with the applicant or, in the case of a couple, with one or both of them for at least three years (whether continuous or not) in the five years preceding the application. the welfare of the child requires the consent to be dispensed with. Section 52(1) Adoption and Children Act 2002. More InformationOne of the most important aspects of the new Act was to give prospective adoptive parents more information. The child’s permanence report is now more detailed and gives you as the possible new parent of the child more information to decide if the child is a good match with you and your family.

Local Authority foster parents: The child must have had their home with the applicants at all times during the period of one year preceding the application.

Changes over time for: Section 42

The Adoption and Children Act 2002 is a law that allows unmarried or married people and same-sex couples in England and Wales to adopt children. The reforms introduced in the Act were based on a comprehensive review of adoption and were described by The Guardian as "the most radical overhaul of adoption legislation for almost 30 years". [1] To introduce a new independent review mechanism for prospective adopters who feel they have been turned down unfairly. Section 44 Adoption and Children Act 2002 discusses the requirement to provide ‘notice of intention to adopt’ to the Local Authority. The adoption agency is to become the single point of access to identifying information as it is believed that they are the bodies best placed to provide the support and counselling needed. Adoption applications are typically denied if the non-resident parent is actively involved in the child’s life and does not pose a serious risk of harm to the child.

My son and myself have both been assessed by the social services to have Lola /Brandon but have failed and the other grandparents have too. Having failed for both we decided to try for just Lola so again were reassessed but failed for a second time. My son then asked for an independent social worker but was told from the beginning that he would fail that too, which again he has. A father who is registered on a child's birth certificate will acquire parental responsibility. (This only applies to births registered on or after 1st December 2003). The birth parents of the child still have a legal responsibility including with international adoption, but their parental responsibility is limited. Ensure that any consent by the natural parents has been given freely and that they understand the effect of their consent.

Changes over time for: Section 1

The step-parent can make the application as a sole applicant. There is no requirement to apply jointly with the parent of the child. Section 46(3)(b) Adoption and Children Act 2002. An application for step-parent adoption can be made by the partner of a child’s parent. If the applicant is not married to/in a civil partnership with the child’s parent, they will have to demonstrate that they are living together in a lasting relationship.

The Adoption and Children Act 2002 received Royal Assent and therefore became law on 7th November 2002. However, the Act finally came into full effect on 30th December 2005. The Act allows arrangements to be put in place for the recognition in England and Wales of overseas adoption (known as 'inter-country adoptions'). The UK has recently ratified (put into effect) the 1993 'Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Inter-Country Adoption' (The Convention). This provides for: To recognise inter-country adoptions in the countries who have signed the Convention (see www.hcch.net for a full list of those countries). What Mechanisms are in Place Under the Act for Adopted Adults, Birth Parents and Others to Obtain Information About the Adoption?

Changes over time for: Section 52

An adopted adult can apply to the appropriate adoption agency for 'protected information' about a person involved in an adoption, such as the adopted person, his birth parents or the adoption social worker. If the adoption is through an adoption agency, the adoption application cannot be lodged until the child has been with the applicants for at least 10 weeks. The Act also introduced a procedure to allow people to trace relatives placed for adoption through an intermediary if both persons are over 18. An adopted person can apply to obtain a copy of their birth certificate but the Local Authority must make the application.