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282 <h2>
282 Adoption Panel
282 </h2>
284 </div>
287 <div id="scope_box">
288 <h3>
288 NOTE
288 </h3>
289 <p>
289 This guidance should be read in conjunction with the following local policies: Protocol for Agency
Decision for Adopter Approval Protocol for Agency Decision for the match of a child with adopters.
289 </p>
290 <p>
290 Administrative procedures for Adoption Panel are available at:
291 <span class="italic">
291 N:\Directorate of Social & Community Services\Children & Families\Strategies Policies
& Procedures\Adoption and Permanence.
291 </span>
291 </p>
292 <h3>
292 AMENDMENT
292 </h3>
293 <p>
293 This guidance was reviewed and updated in October 2018 following the introduction of the General
Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
293 </p>
294 </div>
295 <div id="sections">
297 <h3 id="sections_list">
297 Contents
297 </h3>
298 <ol>
299 <li>
299 <a href="#adoption_pan_purp">
299 Adoption Panel Purpose and Function
299 </a>
299 </li>
300 <li>
300 <a href="#adop_panel_membership">
300 Adoption Panel Membership
300 </a>
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 <a href="#agency_advisor">
301 Agency Advisor to the Panel
301 </a>
301 </li>
302 <li>
302 <a href="#adop_panel_meetings">
302 Adoption Panel Meetings
302 </a>
302 </li>
303 <li>
303 <a href="#ag_dec_make">
303 Agency Decision Maker
303 </a>
303 </li>
304 <li>
304 <a href="#adop_panel_minut">
304 Adoption Panel Minutes
304 </a>
304 </li>
305 <li>
305 <a href="#reports_adop">
305 Reports to Adoption Panel
305 </a>
305 </li>
306 </ol>
307 <h3 id="adoption_pan_purp">
307 1. Adoption Panel Purpose and Function
307 </h3>
308 <p>
308 The Adoption Panel contributes to the running and quality assurance of the local authority's
adoption service and receives annual reports on the service and its performance.
308 </p>
309 <p>
309 In doing so it has an overriding responsibility to promote good practice, consistency of approach
and fairness in all aspects of the adoption service, in accordance with its procedures and values.
309 </p>
310 <h4>
310 Recommendations
311 </h4>
312 <p>
312 As part of this function, the Panel makes recommendations as to the following:
312 </p>
313 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
314 <li>
314 The suitability of prospective adoptive applicants to adopt;
314 </li>
315 <li>
315 Whether a child is suitable to be placed for adoption, in some cases;
315 </li>
316 <li>
316 Whether a child should be placed for adoption with particular prospective adopters.
316 </li>
317 </ol>
318 <p>
318 The recommendations must be unconditional and cannot be 'in principle'.
318 </p>
319 <p>
319 As from 1 September 2012, not all cases must be referred to the Adoption Panel. Cases where the
criteria apply for the local authority to apply for a Placement Order, i.e. the child is the
subject of a Care Order or the Threshold Criteria for a Care Order are satisfied or where there is
no parent or guardian, will not be referred to the Adoption Panel for a recommendation, but will
be referred directly to the Agency Decision Maker for a decision. All other cases (i.e. where the
parents have given consent and there is no application for a Placement Order) will continue to be
referred to the Adoption Panel for a recommendation, which the Agency Decision Maker will take
into account when making a decision.
319 </p>
320 <h4>
320 Timescales
321 </h4>
322 <p>
322 The adoption agency must decide whether the prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child
within four months of the date on which the agency received the prospective adopter's notification
that they wished to proceed with the assessment process.
322 </p>
323 <p>
323 Adoption Panels make a recommendation on whether a child is suitable to be placed for adoption
(where the parents consent and there will be no Placement Order application) within two months of
the Looked After Review where adoption was identified as the child's identified Permanence Plan.
323 </p>
324 <p>
324 Adoption Panels make a recommendation on the proposed placement of a child with particular
prospective adopters within six months of the
324 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
324 Agency Decision Maker (Adoption)
324 </a>
324 decision that the child is suitable to be placed for adoption.
324 </p>
325 <p>
325 Where the timescales are not met, the Adoption Panel should record the reasons.
325 </p>
326 <h4>
326 Advice
327 </h4>
328 <p>
328 Where cases are referred to the Adoption Panel for a recommendation, the Panel may also advise on
the following issues:
328 </p>
329 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
330 <li>
330 Where prospective adoptive parents are recommended as suitable to adopt, the number of children
the adoptive parents may be suitable to adopt, as well as their age range, sex, likely needs and
background, and, in the case of inter country adopters, the country from which they are suitable
to adopt;
330 </li>
331 <li>
331 Where it is recommended that a child is suitable to be placed for adoption, what the contact
arrangements for the child should be and whether a Placement Order should be applied for;
331 </li>
332 <li>
332 Where it is recommended that a child should be placed with particular prospective adopters, the
proposed adoption support, future contact arrangements and whether/how the exercise of Parental
Responsibility by birth parents and/or prospective adopters should be restricted.
332 </li>
333 </ol>
334 <p>
334 Note that in cases which are referred directly to the Agency Decision Maker for a decision, he/she
is expressly prohibited from referring a case to the Adoption Panel for advice.
334 </p>
335 <h4>
335 Monitoring
336 </h4>
337 <p>
337 The Adoption Panel monitors the progress of individual children for whom adoption is the plan up
to the making of an Adoption Order, through progress reports as required under the
337 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
337 Placement for Adoption Procedure
337 </a>
337 , and receives Disruption Reports in relation to any breakdowns in adoptive placements (see
337 <a href="p_disrup_adopt_plac.html">
337 Disruption of Adoptive Placements Procedure
337 </a>
337 ).
337 </p>
338 <p>
338 The Adoption Panel should also provide feedback to the adoption agency every six months on the
quality of reports and whether there is a fair and consistent approach across the service.
338 </p>
339 <h3 id="adop_panel_membership">
339 2. Adoption Panel Membership
339 </h3>
340 <p>
340 There is no fixed Panel membership or maximum number of members or maximum tenure of office.
340 </p>
341 <p>
341 A Central List needs to be maintained containing a list of persons considered to be suitable to be
members of an Adoption Panel. This List must be maintained by an appointed senior social worker
with at least 5 years' relevant post-qualification experience and relevant management experience.
When setting up an Adoption Panel, members will be drawn from this Central List. The same people
do not have to be appointed to every Panel meeting.
341 </p>
342 <p>
342 The Central List should include (in addition to the Independent Chair):
342 </p>
343 <ul>
344 <li>
344 Adoption social workers with at least 3 years' relevant post qualifying experience in child care
social work, including direct experience in adoption work (not necessarily employed by the
agency);
344 </li>
345 <li>
345 The Medical Adviser(s);
345 </li>
346 <li>
346 Other persons whom the agency considers suitable including specialists in education; race and
culture; child and adolescent mental health services; and those with personal experience of
adoption.
346 </li>
347 </ul>
348 <p>
348 The Chair (Independent Person) must be independent of the adoption agency, and is appointed by the
348 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
348 Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments)
348 </a>
348 .
348 </p>
349 <p>
349 The Panel must also have one, and can have two, Vice Chairs (who are not necessarily independent
members), who are also appointed by the Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments).
349 </p>
350 <p>
350 The
350 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
350 Agency Decision Maker (Adoption)
350 </a>
350 on adoption matters must not be included on the Central List.
350 </p>
351 <p>
351 The agency should decide how many people should sit at each Adoption Panel meeting, provided that
there is a quorum of 5 or 6 if a joint panel, one of whom must be the Chair or Vice Chair, one of
the adoption social worker representatives and at least one independent member.
351 </p>
352 <h4>
352 2.1 Appointments to the Central List
353 </h4>
354 <p>
354 Those on the Central List are appointed by the
354 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
354 Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments)
354 </a>
354 and will able to continue their membership as long as they are able to carry out their duties.
354 </p>
355 <p>
355 All those on the Central List should have undergone a recruitment process that includes
interviews, identity checks, verification of qualifications and right to work in the UK,
references and Disclosure and Barring Service checks, which are recorded.
355 </p>
356 <p>
356 New appointees will be asked to give signed agreement to checks being undertaken as above and
cannot take up their appointment until the outcome of the checks are known. They are excluded from
Panel membership if they have any offences against children or of violence. They are required to
notify the Panel Adviser immediately if they receive such a conviction or caution while on the
Central List.
356 </p>
357 <p>
357 They should have the opportunity to observe an Adoption Panel meeting before they sit as a member
and to attend an annual joint training day with adoption agency staff; have induction training
completed within 10 weeks of inclusion on the list and access to appropriate training and skills
development and are kept abreast of changes to legislation, regulation and guidance.
357 </p>
358 <p>
358 They should also have access to the agency's whistle-blowing policy.
358 </p>
359 <p>
359 Written information about the expectations arising from their appointment should be given to new
appointees to the Central List (in relation to their performance objectives, participation in
induction and other training, safeguarding the confidentiality of information provided to the
Panel and their general conduct - see
359 <a href="#confid">
359 Section 2.2, Confidentiality
359 </a>
359 and
359 <a href="#general">
359 Section 2.3, General Conduct
359 </a>
359 ) and they should be asked to sign a written agreement confirming their acceptance of these before
taking up their appointment.
359 </p>
360 <h4 id="confid">
360 2.2 Confidentiality
361 </h4>
362 <p>
362 All written and verbal information given to Panel members in the course of their duties is
strictly confidential. As indicated above, those included on the Central List are required to sign
a written agreement, before their appointment, to confirm that all information they receive will
remain confidential.
362 </p>
363 <p>
363 Panel members are expected to keep all written information in a secure place and return all Panel
documents to the agency immediately after each Panel meeting.
363 </p>
364 <p>
364 Panel members must not copy, in part or in whole, any documents that relate to a case.
364 </p>
365 <p>
365 If a Panel member has some knowledge of a case, whether in a personal or professional capacity,
they should declare an interest and inform the Chair of the Panel at the earliest opportunity, so
that an alternative member can be invited if required to ensure that the Panel is quorate (see
365 <a href="#conflict">
365 Section 2.4, Conflicts of Interest
365 </a>
365 ).
365 </p>
366 <p>
366 Failure to comply with the above paragraphs may result in the member's inclusion on the Central
List being terminated.
366 </p>
367 <h4 id="general">
367 2.3 General Conduct
368 </h4>
369 <p>
369 All those on the Central List should be committed to anti-discriminatory practice and should be
prepared to consider each case on its own merits.
369 </p>
370 <p>
370 Panel members should have read the Panel papers carefully, prior to the Panel meeting, and come
prepared to contribute to the Panel discussion.
370 </p>
371 <p>
371 The Panel Adviser will review the performance of those on the Central List on a regular basis.
371 </p>
372 <p>
372 The Panel Adviser, in consultation with the Chair, will review their performance on a more formal
basis at least annually.
372 </p>
373 <p>
373 If there are concerns about the conduct or behaviour of a person on the Central List, this should
be conveyed to the Chair who will raise these concerns with the person in private.
373 </p>
374 <p>
374 If such concerns cannot be resolved informally, the Chair, in consultation with the Panel Adviser,
will write to the person concerned setting out the concerns and what action it is proposed to
take. See
374 <a href="#termination">
374 Section 2.6, Termination of Appointment
374 </a>
374 to the Central List for action that may be taken if the concerns continue.
374 </p>
375 <p>
375 The Chair's performance will be reviewed annually by the Agency Decision Maker, taking into
account the views of those who attend Panel meetings, namely, persons on the Central List, social
workers and prospective adopters.
375 </p>
376 <h4 id="conflict">
376 2.4 Conflicts of Interest
377 </h4>
378 <p>
378 Panel members should consider any conflicts of interest in relation to Panel agenda items. A
potential conflict arises if an interest may be seen to adversely affect a Panel member's capacity
to act without prejudice or preference in a matter.
378 </p>
379 <p>
379 It is anticipated that in many circumstances there may be professional knowledge of a case which
should be notified to the Chair but which will not affect a member's capacity to participate in
the Panel. In other circumstances there may be a personal interest or connection which would
require the Panel member to refrain from participation. It may be less clear in some cases when
advice should be sought.
379 </p>
380 <p>
380 In the case of a potential conflict of interest where advice is required, Panel members should
consult the Chair, Panel Adviser or Legal Adviser, giving as much advance notice as possible
particularly having regard to the implications for the quorum.
380 </p>
381 <h4 id="resignation">
381 2.5 Resignations from the Central List
382 </h4>
383 <p>
383 All those on the Central List are expected to give a minimum of one month's written notice of
their wish to resign, except where personal emergencies e.g. accidents, illness, make this
impossible. Resignation letters should be addressed to the
383 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
383 Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments)
383 </a>
383 , with a copy to the Chair of the Panel.
383 </p>
384 <p>
384 Initial verbal resignations may be given, but should always be followed by a written resignation.
Those on the Central List are asked, as a matter of courtesy, to inform the Chair of the Panel of
their intention to resign, before making any public announcement.
384 </p>
385 <p>
385 Those on the Central List wishing to withdraw a submitted written resignation must do so before
the one month notice period expires by writing to the Designated Manager (Adoption Panel
Appointments), who reserves the right not to accept a withdrawal of notice and to allow the
original letter of resignation to stand.
385 </p>
386 <h4 id="termination">
386 2.6 Termination of Appointment to the Central List
387 </h4>
388 <p>
388 Where it is considered that someone is unsuitable to be on the Central List, they must be given
one month's notice in writing and reasons for the decision to end their appointment.
388 </p>
389 <p>
389 Where there are concerns about the behaviour of a person on the Central List either inside or
outside the meetings, and the difficulties have not been resolved by discussion and correspondence
between the Chair, Panel Adviser and the person concerned, the matter will be raised by the Panel
Adviser with the Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments), who will decide whether to
propose the end of the appointment and if so, will advise the person concerned in writing giving
clear reasons for the proposal.
389 </p>
390 <p>
390 The person concerned will be given the opportunity to make observations on the matter before a
final decision is made by the
390 <a href="files/sod_decision_making.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
390 Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments)
390 </a>
390 .
390 </p>
391 <h3 id="agency_advisor">
391 3. Agency Adviser to the Panel
391 </h3>
392 <p>
392 An Agency Adviser to the Adoption Panel must be appointed - this can be the same person as the
Panel Adviser. This should be someone with experience as an adoption team leader or someone who
has more senior management experience and who has experience of adoption.
392 </p>
393 <p>
393 The role of the Agency Adviser includes assisting with the appointment (including re-appointment),
termination and review of appointment of members of the Central List; responsibility for the
induction and training of members of the Central List; responsibility for liaison between the
agency and the Adoption Panel, monitoring the performance of members of the Central List and the
administration of the Adoption Panel; and giving such advice to the Adoption Panel as the panel
may request in relation to any case or generally. The Agency Adviser may on request provide advice
to the Agency Decision Maker when the decision-maker is considering a particular case.
393 </p>
394 <p>
394 The Agency Adviser is not a panel member and cannot take part in the decision-making process. They
should be able to contribute to panel meetings by raising issues and providing advice, for example
about the agency's procedures and practices.
394 </p>
395 <p>
395 The Agency Adviser should maintain an overview of the quality of the agency's reports, to both the
Panel and to the Agency Decision Maker, and liaise with team managers to quality assure the
Child's Permanence Report, the Prospective Adopter's Report and the Adoption Placement Report.
Where there are concerns about a report, the Agency Adviser and the Panel chair should consider
whether it is adequate for submission to the Panel. It will be for the Agency Adviser alone to
decide whether the report is adequate for submission to the Agency Decision Maker.
395 </p>
396 <p>
396 The Agency Adviser should also update the Panel on the general progress of cases it has
considered. This is particularly important where the Panel's recommendation or advice was not
accepted.
396 </p>
397 <h3 id="adop_panel_meetings">
397 4. Adoption Panel Meetings
397 </h3>
398 <p>
398 The Adoption Panel should meet at least one day every month. The Panel Adviser will ask the Panel
Administrator to arrange additional special meetings at short notice as necessary, with the
Chair's authority, where for example there is a need to consider an urgent placement and/or the
Court timetable requires it.
398 </p>
399 <p>
399 The Panel Administrator will prepare and circulate an annual list of Adoption Panel dates and
deadlines in advance of the designated start of the Panel's year.
399 </p>
400 <p>
400 The Panel Adviser, who must be a senior practitioner or manager in the adoption service with at
least 5 years' relevant post-qualification and management experience, attends all Panel meetings
to advise the Panel but is not a member of the Panel. His or her role is to ensure all the
necessary reports are available for the Panel, to advise the Panel on social work and procedural
matters and to report to social workers and their managers on issues arising from Panel meetings.
400 </p>
401 <p>
401 Where the Panel is considering a matter relating to an inter country adoption, the Panel Adviser
must arrange to provide specialist advice and any relevant information required.
401 </p>
402 <p>
402 The Panel Adviser's role is also to assist with appointments to the Central List, to arrange
induction and other training for those on the Central List, monitor and review their performance
and monitor and review the administration of the Panel.
402 </p>
403 The Panel Administrator, in consultation with the Panel Adviser, will prepare the agenda for each
meeting and draw members from the Central List. The agenda and Panel papers for each meeting should
be sent to Panel members at least five working days before the meeting.
404 <p>
404 The Panel's legal adviser attends all Panel meetings, but is not a Panel member.
404 </p>
405 <p>
405 The agenda will include at the beginning an opportunity for any Panel member to declare an
interest in any item on the agenda (see
405 <a href="#conflict">
405 Section 2.4, Conflicts of Interest
405 </a>
405 ). If an interest is declared, the Chair must then decide whether the Panel member should withdraw
during consideration of the item.
405 </p>
406 <p>
406 In the event of a disagreement between Panel members, the Chair will consider whether further
information is required or whether the Panel should go ahead and make a recommendation on the
basis of the majority view. In this event, any dissenting view should be fully recorded in the
minutes.
406 </p>
407 <p>
407 Social workers presenting reports to the Panel must send their report and any supporting
documentation required (as specified in the relevant procedures elsewhere in the Manual; see
407 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
407 Placement for Adoption Procedure
407 </a>
407 and
407 <a href="p_assess_approval.html">
407 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters Procedure
407 </a>
407 ) to the Panel Administrator at least 10 working days before the date of the Panel meeting.
407 </p>
408 <p>
408 At the end of each Panel meeting, the Panel Administrator will collect all members' papers. Panel
members unable to attend a meeting will be asked to return his or her papers to the Panel
administrator.
408 </p>
409 <h3 id="ag_dec_make">
409 5. Agency Decision Maker
409 </h3>
410 <p>
410 The Agency Decision Maker considers recommendations from the Adoption Panel and, in those
circumstances outlined in
410 <a href="#adoption_pan_purp">
410 Section 1, Adoption Panel Purpose and Function
410 </a>
410 , also makes decisions about whether a child is suitable to be placed for adoption without
reference to the Adoption Panel. The following principles apply to all such decisions.
410 </p>
411 <p>
411 In reaching his/her decision, the Agency Decision Maker must consider:
411 </p>
412 <ul>
413 <li>
413 The welfare checklist in Section 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002*;
413 </li>
414 <li>
414 All the information surrounding the case including the reports submitted to the Adoption Panel
(where applicable), and that the authors of the reports are appropriately qualified to prepare
them (see
414 <a href="#reports_adop">
414 Section 7, Reports to Adoption Panel
414 </a>
414 );
414 </li>
415 <li>
415 The stability and permanence of the relationship of any couple under consideration;
415 </li>
416 <li>
416 The recommendation and reasons of the Adoption Panel and any Independent Review Panel under the
Independent Review Mechanism; and
416 </li>
417 <li>
417 The final minutes of the Adoption Panel including any minutes from adjourned Panel meetings and
the Independent Review Panel;
418 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
419 <li>
419 *The child's ascertainable wishes and feelings regarding the decision (considered in the
light of the child's age and understanding);
419 </li>
420 <li>
420 The child's particular needs;
420 </li>
421 <li>
421 The likely effect on the child (throughout his life) of having ceased to be a member of the
original family and become an adopted person;
421 </li>
422 <li>
422 The child's age, sex, background and any of the child's characteristics which the court or
agency considers relevant;
422 </li>
423 <li>
423 Any harm (within the meaning of the Children Act 1989 (c. 41)) which the child has suffered
or is at risk of suffering;
423 </li>
424 <li>
424 The relationship which the child has with relatives, and with any other person in relation
to whom the court or agency considers the relationship to be relevant, including:
425 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
426 <li>
426 The likelihood of any such relationship continuing and the value to the child of its
doing so;
426 </li>
427 <li>
427 The ability and willingness of any of the child's relatives, or of any such person, to
provide the child with a secure environment in which the child can develop, and
otherwise to meet the child's needs;
427 </li>
428 <li>
428 The wishes and feelings of any of the child's relatives, or of any such person,
regarding the child.
428 </li>
429 </ol>
430 </li>
431 </ol>
432 </li>
433 </ul>
434 <p>
434 It is good practice for the Agency Decision Maker:
434 </p>
435 <ul>
436 <li>
436 To list the material taken into account in reaching the decision;
436 </li>
437 <li>
437 To identify key arguments;
437 </li>
438 <li>
438 To state whether they agree with the process and approach of the relevant Panel(s) and are
satisfied as to its fairness and that the Panel(s) has/have properly addressed the arguments;
438 </li>
439 <li>
439 To consider whether any additional information now available to them that was not before the
Panel has an impact on its reasons or recommendation;
439 </li>
440 <li>
440 To identify the reasons given for the relevant recommendation that they do or do not wish to
adopt; and
440 </li>
441 <li>
441 To state (a) the adopted reasons by cross-reference or otherwise and (b) any further reasons for
their decision.
441 </li>
442 </ul>
443 <h3 id="adop_panel_minut">
443 6. Adoption Panel Minutes
443 </h3>
444 <p>
444 The Panel minutes will always record the information in relation to the following:
444 </p>
445 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
446 <li>
446 The reports received. (The Panel's requirements as to reports are specified in the relevant
procedures elsewhere in the Manual; see
446 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
446 Placement for Adoption Procedure
446 </a>
446 and
446 <a href="p_assess_approval.html">
446 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters Procedure
446 </a>
446 );
446 </li>
447 <li>
447 Who attended and for which part of the discussion;
447 </li>
448 <li>
448 Medical advice;
448 </li>
449 <li>
449 Legal advice;
449 </li>
450 <li>
450 The Panel's discussions (main points) and conclusions;
450 </li>
451 <li>
451 The Panel's recommendations and reasons, including any reservations expressed by any member;
451 </li>
452 <li>
452 Any advice given by the Panel.
452 </li>
453 </ol>
454 <p>
454 The Panel minutes will be written in accordance with the format agreed from time to time and kept
on every child's or prospective adopter's Adoption Case Record.
454 </p>
455 <p>
455 The Panel chair is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the Panel's recommendations, reasons
and, following agreement with Panel members, the minutes. The chair must also make sure that a
person who is not a member of the panel fulfils the task of writing these documents.
455 </p>
456 <p>
456 The minutes must accurately reflect the discussion and cover the key issues, rather than be a
verbatim record of the meeting. Where Panel members have serious reservations, the Panel chair
must ensure these are recorded in the minutes and are attached to the Panel's recommendation. If
the Panel cannot reach a consensus on its recommendation after the chair and other members of the
Panel have voted, the Panel chair has a second vote, i.e. the casting vote. The Panel's minutes
should clearly set out the reasons why the Panel chair had to use the casting vote.
456 </p>
457 <p>
457 The Panel minutes must be produced promptly and agreed by the Panel members before being approved
by the Chair and sent to the Agency Decision Maker, together with the reports considered by the
Panel when the recommendation was made, so that the Agency Decision Maker can meet the timescales
for making the decision as set out in the relevant procedures - usually the timescale is within 7
working days of receipt.
457 </p>
458 <p>
458 Arrangements should be made by the Agency Adviser to the Panel for the safekeeping of the minutes
and the record. Panel minutes, like other parts of adoption case records, are exempt from right of
access the subject access provisions contained in the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
and the Data Protection Act 2018 (i.e. the person to whom they relate does not have a statutory
right of access to the information they contain).
458 </p>
459 <h3 id="reports_adop">
459 7. Reports to Adoption Panel
459 </h3>
460 <p>
460 Reports to the Adoption Panel in relation to matters upon which the Panel are asked to make
recommendations must be prepared by qualified social workers with at least 3 years'
post-qualification experience. This must include direct experience of adoption work either in
assessing prospective adoptive parents or implementing an adoption plan for a Looked After child.
Where the author of the report does not have the requisite qualifications and experience, he or
she must have either a qualification in social work or be a social worker in training, and must be
supervised by a qualified social worker with 3 years' relevant experience.
460 </p>
461 <p>
461 Where the person preparing the report is an independent social worker, they must always be
suitably qualified and experienced
461 <span class="bold">
461 and
461 </span>
461 be supervised by a member of staff with the suitable qualifications and experience.
461 </p>
462 <p>
462 The same qualifications and experience are required for social workers undertaking visits of
children placed for adoption (see
462 <a href="p_monit_sup_adop_pla.html">
462 Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive Placements Procedure
462 </a>
462 ) and authors of Court Reports in adoption cases.
462 </p>
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