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136 <h1>
136 Adoption Panel
136 </h1>
153 <div class="section">
153 <h2 id="adoption_pan_purp">
153 1. Adoption Panel Purpose and Function
153 </h2>
154 <p>
154 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.
154 </p>
155 <p>
155 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.
155 </p>
156 <h3>
156 Recommendations
156 </h3>
157 <p>
157 As part of this function, the Panel makes recommendations as to the following:
157 </p>
158 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
159 <li>
159 The suitability of prospective adoptive applicants to adopt;
159 </li>
160 <li>
160 Whether a child is suitable to be placed for adoption, in some cases;
160 </li>
161 <li>
161 Whether a child should be placed for adoption with particular prospective adopters.
161 </li>
162 </ol>
163 <p>
163 The recommendations must be unconditional and cannot be 'in principle'.
163 </p>
164 <p>
164 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.
164 </p>
165 <h3>
165 Timescales
165 </h3>
166 <p>
166 The adoption agency must decide whether the prospective adopter is suitable to adopt a child
within 6months of the date on which the agency received their Registration of Interest or
within 4 months of the date on which the agency received prospective adopter's notification
that they wished to proceed with Stage 2 of the assessment process.
166 </p>
167 <p>
167 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
2 months of the Case Review where adoption was identified as the child's identified
Permanence Plan.
167 </p>
168 <p>
168 Adoption Panels make a recommendation on the proposed placement of a child with particular
prospective adopters within 6 months of the
168 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#agency_adopt">
168 Agency Decision Maker (Adoption)
168 </a>
168 decision that the child is suitable to be placed for adoption.
168 </p>
169 <p>
169 Where the timescales are not met, the Adoption Panel should record the reasons.
169 </p>
170 <h3>
170 Advice
170 </h3>
171 <p>
171 Where cases are referred to the Adoption Panel for a recommendation, the Panel may also
advise on the following issues:
171 </p>
172 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
173 <li>
173 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;
173 </li>
174 <li>
174 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;
174 </li>
175 <li>
175 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.
175 </li>
176 </ol>
177 <p>
177 <span class="bold">
177 Note
177 </span>
177 that in cases which are referred directly to the Agency Decision Maker for a decision, they
are expressly prohibited from referring a case to the Adoption Panel for advice.
177 </p>
178 <h3>
178 Monitoring
178 </h3>
179 <p>
179 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
179 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
179 Placement for Adoption Procedure
179 </a>
179 , and receives Disruption Reports in relation to any breakdowns in adoptive placements (see
179 <a href="p_disrup_adopt_plac.html">
179 Disruption of Adoptive Placements Procedure
179 </a>
179 ).
179 </p>
180 <p>
180 The Adoption Panel should also provide feedback to the adoption agency every 6 months on the
quality of reports and whether there is a fair and consistent approach across the service.
180 </p>
181 </div>
182 <div class="section1">
182 </div>
188 <div class="section">
188 <h2 id="adop_panel_membership">
188 2. Adoption Panel Membership
188 </h2>
189 <p>
189 There is no fixed Panel membership or maximum number of members or maximum tenure of office.
189 </p>
190 <p>
190 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.
190 </p>
191 <p>
191 The Central List should include (in addition to the Independent Chair):
191 </p>
192 <ul>
193 <li>
193 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);
193 </li>
194 <li>
194 The Medical Adviser(s);
194 </li>
195 <li>
195 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.
195 </li>
196 </ul>
197 <p>
197 The Chair (Independent Person) must be independent of the adoption agency, and is appointed
by the
197 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#adopt_panel">
197 Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments)
197 </a>
197 .
197 </p>
198 <p>
198 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).
198 </p>
199 <p>
199 The
199 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#agency_adopt">
199 Agency Decision Maker (Adoption)
199 </a>
199 on adoption matters must not be included on the Central List.
199 </p>
200 <p>
200 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.
200 </p>
201 <h3>
201 2.1 Appointments to the Central List
201 </h3>
202 <p>
202 Those on the Central List are appointed by the
202 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#adopt_panel">
202 Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments)
202 </a>
202 and will able to continue their membership as long as they are able to carry out their
duties.
202 </p>
203 <p>
203 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.
203 </p>
204 <p>
204 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.
204 </p>
205 <p>
205 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.
205 </p>
206 <p>
206 They should also have access to the agency's whistle-blowing policy.
206 </p>
207 <p>
207 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
207 <a href="#confid">
207 Section 2.2, Confidentiality
207 </a>
207 and
207 <a href="#general">
207 Section 2.3, General Conduct
207 </a>
207 ) and they should be asked to sign a written agreement confirming their acceptance of these
before taking up their appointment.
207 </p>
208 <h3 id="confid">
208 2.2 Confidentiality
208 </h3>
209 <p>
209 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.
209 </p>
210 <p>
210 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.
210 </p>
211 <p>
211 Panel members must not copy, in part or in whole, any documents that relate to a case.
211 </p>
212 <p>
212 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
212 <a href="#conflict">
212 Section 2.4, Conflicts of Interest
212 </a>
212 ).
212 </p>
213 <p>
213 Failure to comply with the above paragraphs may result in the member's inclusion on the
Central List being terminated.
213 </p>
214 <h3 id="general">
214 2.3 General Conduct
214 </h3>
215 <p>
215 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.
215 </p>
216 <p>
216 Panel members should have read the Panel papers carefully, prior to the Panel meeting, and
come prepared to contribute to the Panel discussion.
216 </p>
217 <p>
217 The Panel Adviser will review the performance of those on the Central List on a regular
basis.
217 </p>
218 <p>
218 The Panel Adviser, in consultation with the Chair, will review their performance on a more
formal basis at least annually.
218 </p>
219 <p>
219 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.
219 </p>
220 <p>
220 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
220 <a href="#termination">
220 Section 2.6, Termination of Appointment
220 </a>
220 to the Central List for action that may be taken if the concerns continue.
220 </p>
221 <p>
221 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.
221 </p>
222 <h3 id="conflict">
222 2.4 Conflicts of Interest
222 </h3>
223 <p>
223 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.
223 </p>
224 <p>
224 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.
224 </p>
225 <p>
225 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.
225 </p>
226 <h3 id="resignation">
226 2.5 Resignations from the Central List
226 </h3>
227 <p>
227 All those on the Central List are expected to give a minimum of 1 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
227 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#adopt_panel">
227 Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments)
227 </a>
227 , with a copy to the Chair of the Panel.
227 </p>
228 <p>
228 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.
228 </p>
229 <p>
229 Those on the Central List wishing to withdraw a submitted written resignation must do so
before the 1 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.
229 </p>
230 <h3 id="termination">
230 2.6 Termination of Appointment to the Central List
230 </h3>
231 <p>
231 Where it is considered that someone is unsuitable to be on the Central List, they must be
given 1 month's notice in writing and reasons for the decision to end their appointment.
231 </p>
232 <p>
232 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.
232 </p>
233 <p>
233 The person concerned will be given the opportunity to make observations on the matter before
a final decision is made by the
233 <a href="pr_desg_man.html#adopt_panel">
233 Designated Manager (Adoption Panel Appointments)
233 </a>
233 .
233 </p>
234 </div>
235 <div class="section1">
235 </div>
241 <div class="section">
241 <h2 id="agency_advisor">
241 3. Agency Adviser to the Panel
241 </h2>
242 <p>
242 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.
242 </p>
243 <p>
243 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.
243 </p>
244 <p>
244 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.
244 </p>
245 <p>
245 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.
245 </p>
246 <p>
246 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.
246 </p>
247 </div>
248 <div class="section1">
248 </div>
254 <div class="section">
254 <h2 id="adop_panel_meetings">
254 4. Adoption Panel Meetings
254 </h2>
255 <p>
255 The Adoption Panel should meet at least 1 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.
255 </p>
256 <p>
256 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.
256 </p>
257 <p>
257 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. their 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.
257 </p>
258 <p>
258 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.
258 </p>
259 <p>
259 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.
259 </p>
260 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 5 working days before the meeting.
261 <p>
261 The Panel's legal adviser attends all Panel meetings, but is not a Panel member.
261 </p>
262 <p>
262 The agenda will include at the beginning an opportunity for any Panel member to declare an
interest in any item on the agenda (see
262 <a href="#conflict">
262 Section 2.4, Conflicts of Interest
262 </a>
262 ). If an interest is declared, the Chair must then decide whether the Panel member should
withdraw during consideration of the item.
262 </p>
263 <p>
263 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.
263 </p>
264 <p>
264 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
264 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
264 Placement for Adoption Procedure
264 </a>
264 and
264 <a href="p_assess_approval_adopt.html">
264 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters Procedure
264 </a>
264 ) to the Panel Administrator at least 10 working days before the date of the Panel meeting.
264 </p>
265 <p>
265 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 their papers to the Panel
administrator.
265 </p>
266 </div>
267 <div class="section1">
267 </div>
273 <div class="section">
273 <h2 id="ag_dec_make">
273 5. Agency Decision Maker
273 </h2>
274 <p>
274 The Agency Decision Maker considers recommendations from the Adoption Panel and, in those
circumstances outlined in
274 <a href="#adoption_pan_purp">
274 Section 1, Adoption Panel Purpose and Function
274 </a>
274 , 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.
274 </p>
275 <p>
275 In reaching their decision, the Agency Decision Maker must consider:
275 </p>
276 <ul>
277 <li>
277 The welfare checklist in Section 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002*;
277 </li>
278 <li>
278 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
278 <a href="#reports_adop">
278 Section 7, Reports to Adoption Panel
278 </a>
278 );
278 </li>
279 <li>
279 The stability and permanence of the relationship of any couple under consideration;
279 </li>
280 <li>
280 The recommendation and reasons of the Adoption Panel and any Independent Review Panel
under the Independent Review Mechanism; and
280 </li>
281 <li>
281 The final minutes of the Adoption Panel including any minutes from adjourned Panel
meetings and the Independent Review Panel;
282 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-alpha">
283 <li>
283 *The child's ascertainable wishes and feelings regarding the decision (considered in
the light of the child's age and understanding);
283 </li>
284 <li>
284 The child's particular needs;
284 </li>
285 <li>
285 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;
285 </li>
286 <li>
286 The child's age, sex, background and any of the child's characteristics which the
court or agency considers relevant;
286 </li>
287 <li>
287 Any harm (within the meaning of the Children Act 1989 (c. 41)) which the child has
suffered or is at risk of suffering;
287 </li>
288 <li>
288 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:
289 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
290 <li>
290 The likelihood of any such relationship continuing and the value to the child of
its doing so;
290 </li>
291 <li>
291 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;
291 </li>
292 <li>
292 The wishes and feelings of any of the child's relatives, or of any such person,
regarding the child.
292 </li>
293 </ol>
294 </li>
295 </ol>
296 </li>
297 </ul>
298 <p>
298 It is good practice for the Agency Decision Maker:
298 </p>
299 <ul>
300 <li>
300 To list the material taken into account in reaching the decision;
300 </li>
301 <li>
301 To identify key arguments;
301 </li>
302 <li>
302 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;
302 </li>
303 <li>
303 To consider whether any additional information now available to them that was not before
the Panel has an impact on its reasons or recommendation;
303 </li>
304 <li>
304 To identify the reasons given for the relevant recommendation that they do or do not wish
to adopt; and
304 </li>
305 <li>
305 To state (a) the adopted reasons by cross-reference or otherwise and (b) any further
reasons for their decision.
305 </li>
306 </ul>
307 </div>
308 <div class="section1">
308 </div>
314 <div class="section">
314 <h2 id="adop_panel_minut">
314 6. Adoption Panel Minutes
314 </h2>
315 <p>
315 The Panel minutes will always record the information in relation to the following:
315 </p>
316 <ol style="list-style-type:lower-roman">
317 <li>
317 The reports received. (The Panel's requirements as to reports are specified in the
relevant procedures elsewhere in the Manual; see
317 <a href="p_place_adop.html">
317 Placement for Adoption Procedure
317 </a>
317 and
317 <a href="p_assess_approval_adopt.html">
317 Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters Procedure
317 </a>
317 );
317 </li>
318 <li>
318 Who attended and for which part of the discussion;
318 </li>
319 <li>
319 Medical advice;
319 </li>
320 <li>
320 Legal advice;
320 </li>
321 <li>
321 The Panel's discussions (main points) and conclusions;
321 </li>
322 <li>
322 The Panel's recommendations and reasons, including any reservations expressed by any
member;
322 </li>
323 <li>
323 Any advice given by the Panel.
323 </li>
324 </ol>
325 <p>
325 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.
325 </p>
326 <p>
326 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.
326 </p>
327 <p>
327 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.
327 </p>
328 <p>
328 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.
328 </p>
329 <p>
329 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 the right of 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).
329 </p>
330 </div>
331 <div class="section1">
331 </div>
337 <div class="section">
337 <h2 id="reports_adop">
337 7. Reports to Adoption Panel
337 </h2>
338 <p>
338 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 Child in
Care. Where the author of the report does not have the requisite qualifications and
experience, they 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.
338 </p>
339 <p>
339 Where the person preparing the report is an independent social worker, they must always be
suitably qualified and experienced
339 <span class="bold">
339 and
339 </span>
339 be supervised by a member of staff with the suitable qualifications and experience.
339 </p>
340 <p>
340 The same qualifications and experience are required for social workers undertaking visits of
children placed for adoption (see
340 <a href="p_monit_sup_adop_pla.html">
340 Monitoring and Supervision of Adoptive Placements Procedure
340 </a>
340 ) and authors of Court Reports in adoption cases.
340 </p>
341 </div>
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