The Adoption Panel

The Purpose of the Adoption Panel

The main purpose of the Adoption Panel is:

To consider whether adoption is in the best interests of a particular child and if so, whether a 'Freeing for Adoption' application should be made.
To consider whether a prospective adopter is suitable to be an adoptive parent.
To consider whether prospective adopters would be suitable adoptive parents for a particular child.

Supplementary functions of the panel include:

Consideration of permanence plans for children other than adoption including permanent fostering.
To monitor and review the implementation of permanence plans for children.
To review, after a specified time, approved adoptive parents who have not been matched with a child.
To consider applications for adoption allowances and to review the payment of these allowances.
To advise on any other matter relating to permanency.

Where a child is matched to a prospective adopter from another agency, the linking must be considered by the adoption panel of the agency with responsibility of the child.

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