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139 <tr>
140 <td width="94%">
140 <h1 class="h1_chaptertitle">
140 Adoption Reviews
140 </h1>
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148 <h2 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
148 SCOPE OF CHAPTER
148 </h2>
149 <p>
149 This chapter applies to the reviews where the adoption agency has authority to place a child for
adoption either through a
149 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/placement_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
149 Placement Order
149 </a>
149 or
149 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/parental_consent_adoptive.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
149 Parental Consent to Adoptive Placement
149 </a>
149 . It sets out the different timescales that apply depending on whether or not the child has been
placed for adoption by the adoption agency.
149 </p>
150 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
150 RELATED GUIDANCE
150 </h3>
151 <p>
151 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-the-education-of-looked-after-childre
n" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
151 Promoting the Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After Children (DfE)
151 </a>
151 </p>
152 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
152 RELATED CHAPTERS
152 </h3>
153 <a href="p_app_role_iro.html">
153 Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers Procedure
153 </a>
154 <p>
154 For reviews in relation to children from overseas placed with Inter Country Adopters, see
154 <a href="p_inter_country_adop.html">
154 Inter Country Adoption Procedure
154 </a>
154 .
154 </p>
155 <p>
155 For reviews of prospective adopters approval, see
155 <a href="p_assess_approval.html">
155 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters Procedure
155 </a>
155 and
155 <a href="p_inter_country_adop.html">
155 Inter Country Adoption Procedure
155 </a>
155 .
155 </p>
156 <p>
156 For Disruption Meetings, after a Placement Breakdown, see
156 <a href="p_disrup_adopt_plac.html">
156 Disruption of Adoptive Placements Procedure
156 </a>
156 .
156 </p>
157 <p>
157 <span class="bold">
157 Note
157 </span>
157 : Milton Keynes is part of a regional adoption agency please see
157 
W885 [WCAG21 1.1.1/2.4.4/2.4.9 (A/AAA)] Do not use the URL as link text:
Describe the purpose of a link by providing descriptive text as the content of the <a> element, or provide an 'aria-label' or 'aria-labelledby' attribute. The description lets a user distinguish this link from other links in the Web page and helps the user determine whether to follow the link. The URL of the destination is generally not sufficiently descriptive. See WCAG 2.1 HTML Technique H30. <a href="https://www.adoptionconnects.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
157 https://www.adoptionconnects.co.uk/
157 </a>
157 for information.
157 </p>
158 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
158 AMENDMENT
158 </h3>
159 <p>
159 In March 2019
159 <a href="#Conduct_adopt_reviews">
159 Section 5, The Conduct of Adoption Reviews
159 </a>
159 was amended to reflect the status of adopted children as being ‘previously looked
after’ when considering their educational needs. A link to DfE guidance on Promoting the
Education of Looked After and Previously Looked After children was also added.
159 </p>
160 </div>
161 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
161 <br />
162 Contents
162 </h2>
163 <ol>
164 <li>
164 <a href="#Arrange_adopt_review">
164 Arrangements for Adoption Reviews
164 </a>
164 </li>
165 <li>
165 <a href="#Convene_and_chair">
165 Convening and Chairing Adoption Reviews
165 </a>
165 </li>
166 <li>
166 <a href="#Timescales">
166 Timescales for Adoption Reviews
166 </a>
166 </li>
167 <li>
167 <a href="#Report_adopt_rview">
167 Reports for Adoption Reviews
167 </a>
167 </li>
168 <li>
168 <a href="#Conduct_adopt_reviews">
168 The Conduct of Adoption Reviews
168 </a>
168 </li>
169 <li>
169 <a href="#After_adopt_order">
169 After an Adoption Order is made
169 </a>
169 </li>
170 </ol>
171 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
171 <br />
172 1.
172 <a name="Arrange_adopt_review" id="Arrange_adopt_review">
172 </a>
172 Arrangements for Adoption Reviews
172 </h2>
173 <p>
173 Once an adoption agency has
173 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/authority_place.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
173 Authority to Place for Adoption
173 </a>
173 , there is a requirement to review the child's case under the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005.
Until the child is placed for adoption, this runs alongside the requirement to hold a Looked After
Review in relation to the child - see
173 <a href="p_look_aft_rev.html">
173 Looked After Reviews Procedure
173 </a>
173 .
173 </p>
174 <p>
174 The child's social worker should provide written information about the intended arrangements for
Adoption Reviews, to the child (depending on age and understanding), to the prospective adopters
(usually this will be part of the
174 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/adoption_place_plan.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
174 Adoption Placement Plan
174 </a>
174 ), and to any other person considered relevant, such as the child's parents.
174 </p>
175 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
175 <br />
176 2.
176 <a name="Convene_and_chair" id="Convene_and_chair">
176 </a>
176 Convening and Chairing Adoption Reviews
176 </h2>
177 <p>
177 So far as reasonably practicable, all Adoption Reviews will be chaired by the child's
177 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/indep_reviewing_officer.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
177 Independent Reviewing Officer
177 </a>
177 .
177 </p>
178 <p>
178 The child's social worker, in conjunction with the Independent Reviewing Officer, will invite
relevant persons to Adoption Reviews.
178 </p>
179 <p>
179 There is no requirement to invite birth parents to Adoption Reviews or to consult them prior to a
Review, but the child's social worker, in conjunction with the Independent Reviewing Officer, may
consider that their views should be ascertained and reported to an Adoption Review or that the
parents should be invited in appropriate cases.
179 </p>
180 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
180 <br />
181 3.
181 <a name="Timescales" id="Timescales">
181 </a>
181 Timescales for Adoption Reviews
181 </h2>
182 <p>
182 The timescales for holding Adoption Reviews will depend on whether the child has been placed for
adoption.
182 </p>
183 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
183 3.1 Adoption Reviews of children not yet placed for adoption
183 </h3>
184 <p>
184 Where the child has not been placed for adoption, arrangements must be made so that an Adoption
Review is held:
184 </p>
185 <ul>
186 <li>
186 No later than 3 months after authority to place the child for adoption has been obtained;
186 </li>
187 <li>
187 At least every 6 months thereafter until an adoptive placement is made.
187 </li>
188 </ul>
189 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
189 3.2 Adoption Reviews of children who have been placed for adoption
189 </h3>
190 <p>
190 Where the child has been placed for adoption, arrangements must be made so that an Adoption Review
is held:
190 </p>
191 <ul>
192 <li>
192 Within 4 weeks of the placement;
192 </li>
193 <li>
193 Not more than 3 months after the first review unless an application for an adoption order has
been made;
193 </li>
194 <li>
194 At least every 6 months thereafter until an adoption order has been made or the adoptive
placement ends.
194 </li>
195 </ul>
196 <p>
196 Where there are concerns that the placement is at risk of breaking down, an Adoption Review must
be convened immediately. Where a placement breaks down, see
196 <a href="p_disrup_adopt_plac.html">
196 Disruption of Adoptive Placements Procedure
196 </a>
196 .
196 </p>
197 <p>
197 Where a placement has been made with parental consent and notice is received that such consent has
been withdrawn, a Review must be convened immediately and urgent legal advice should be taken as
to whether there are grounds for an application for an
197 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/emerge_prot_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
197 Emergency Protection Order
197 </a>
197 /
197 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/interim_care_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
197 Interim Care Order
197 </a>
197 (if no
197 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/care_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
197 Care Order
197 </a>
197 exists) and/or a
197 <a href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/placement_order.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
197 Placement Order
197 </a>
197 .
197 </p>
198 <p>
198 Unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example child protection concerns and/or
significant risk, no decision to move a child from a placement shall take place without a formal
review having taken place. In such circumstances, legal advice should be sought as soon as
possible and prior to any action being taken.
198 </p>
199 <h3 class="h3_subheading_no_underline">
199 3.3 All Cases
199 </h3>
200 <p>
200 The child's social worker must inform the Independent Reviewing Officer of any failure to make
arrangements agreed at a review or any significant changes in the child's circumstances at a
review, so that a decision can be made as to the need to convene a further Review - see
200 <a href="p_app_role_iro.html">
200 Appointment and Role of Independent Reviewing Officers Procedure
200 </a>
200 .
200 </p>
201 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
201 <br />
202 4.
202 <a name="Report_adopt_rview" id="Report_adopt_rview">
202 </a>
202 Reports for Adoption Reviews
202 </h2>
203 <p>
203 The child's social worker will prepare a report for the Adoption Review, incorporating the views
of the child, the prospective adopters and the prospective adopters' link worker (where the child
is placed), the birth parents or family members (in appropriate cases) and any other relevant
person (for example health visitor or teacher), which should be circulated prior to the meeting.
203 </p>
204 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
204 <br />
205 5.
205 <a name="Conduct_adopt_reviews" id="Conduct_adopt_reviews">
205 </a>
205 The Conduct of Adoption Reviews
205 </h2>
206 <ol>
207 <li>
207 The Adoption Review will consider the following areas:
208 <ol>
209 <li type="a">
209 Whether it remains satisfied that the child should be placed for adoption;
209 </li>
210 <li type="a">
210 The child's needs, welfare and development, and whether any changes need to be made to meet
the child's needs or assist his/her development;
210 </li>
211 <li type="a">
211 Review the existing arrangements for contact and whether they should continue or be altered;
211 </li>
212 <li type="a">
212 Where the child has been placed for adoption, evidence of the child's attachment to the
prospective adopters and the arrangements in relation to the exercise of parental
responsibility for the child and whether they should continue or be altered;
212 </li>
213 <li type="a">
213 The arrangements for the provision of adoption support services for the adoptive family and
whether there should be any re-assessment of the need for those services;
213 </li>
214 <li type="a">
214 In consultation with the appropriate agencies, the arrangements for assessing and meeting
the child's health care and educational needs as a previously looked after child (see
214 <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/promoting-the-education-of-looked-after-chi
ldren" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
214 Promoting the education of looked-after and previously looked-after children (GOV.UK)
214 </a>
214 );
214 </li>
215 <li type="a">
215 Any concerns;
215 </li>
216 <li type="a">
216 Outstanding Court proceedings;
216 </li>
217 <li type="a">
217 Where the child is placed for adoption, the timing of the adoption application;
217 </li>
218 <li type="a">
218 The timing of the 'Later Life Letter' from the child’s social worker being given to the
prospective adopter (this will usually be within 10 working days of the adoption ceremony,
i.e. the ceremony to celebrate the making of the adoption order);
218 </li>
219 <li type="a">
219 The responsibility for providing Court reports;
219 </li>
220 <li type="a">
220 The frequency of future reviews and the date for the next Review.
220 </li>
221 </ol>
222 </li>
223 <li>
223 Where the child is the subject of a Placement Order and has not been placed for adoption by the
time of the first six month Review, the Review must also:
224 <ol>
225 <li type="i">
225 Establish why the child has not been placed for adoption and consider what further steps it
should take to arrange for the child to be placed for adoption; and
225 </li>
226 <li type="i">
226 Consider whether it remains satisfied that the child should be placed for adoption.
226 </li>
227 </ol>
228 </li>
229 <li>
229 The
229 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/indep_reviewing_officer.html
" target="_blank" rel="noopener">
229 Independent Reviewing Officer
229 </a>
229 must ensure that the views of the child are properly understood by the Review and taken into
account.
229 <br />
230 <br />
231 Where the child wishes to take proceedings on their own account, for example to apply for the
revocation of a Placement Order, the Independent Reviewing Officer must assist the child to
obtain legal advice or establish whether an appropriate adult is able and willing to provide
legal advice and/or bring the proceedings on the child's behalf.
231 <br />
232 <br />
233 The IRO should advise the child about his or her right to appoint an advocate where they have
problems or concerns;
233 </li>
234 <li>
234 The Independent Reviewing Officer must also ensure that anyone responsible for implementing a
decision taken at the review is identified, and that any failure to review the case or implement
decisions made at a Review is brought to the attention of senior managers within the agency;
234 </li>
235 <li>
235 Any decisions made at the Review should be notified in writing to the child (depending on age
and understanding), the prospective adopters (where the child has been placed for adoption) and
any other person considered relevant by the child's social worker and the Independent Reviewing
Officer, such as the birth parents;
235 </li>
236 <li>
236 The information obtained during an Adoption Review, any decisions made at the Review and the
minutes of any meeting arranged to consider any aspect of the Adoption Review must be placed on
the child's
236 <a
href="http://trixresources.proceduresonline.com/nat_key/keywords/adoption_case_record.html"
target="_blank" rel="noopener">
236 Adoption Case Record
236 </a>
236 ;
236 </li>
237 <li>
237 Where a child has been placed for adoption but not adopted within 12 months, the child's social
worker must present a further report to the Adoption Panel identifying the length of the delay,
the reasons and the steps being taken to address any difficulties;
237 </li>
238 <li>
238 Where an agency decision has been made to place a child for adoption but the child has not been
placed within 6 months, the child's social worker must present a further report to the Adoption
Panel identifying the length of the delay, the reasons and the steps being taken to address any
difficulties, including consideration of a review of the adoption plan and/or a possible change
to long- term fostering/separation of siblings.
238 </li>
239 </ol>
240 <h2 class="h2_mainheading">
240 <br />
241 6.
241 <a name="After_adopt_order" id="After_adopt_order">
241 </a>
241 After an Adoption Order is made
241 </h2>
242 <p>
242 Once an Adoption Order is made, the child's social worker should complete the Adoption Case Record
and ensure that the necessary work has been undertaken to complete the adoption process. The
Adoption Case Record should then be closed and sent to the adoption service for safe storage
within 2 months of the Adoption Order being granted.
242 </p>
243 <p>
243 The computer recording system should also record the Adoption Order.
243 </p>
244 <p class="end_of_chapter">
244 End
244 </p>
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