CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS Citation, commencement and extent 1 1 These Regulations may be cited as the Adoption Agencies (Scotland) Regulations 1996 and shall come into force on 1st April 1997. 2 These Regulations shall apply to Scotland only. Interpretation 2 1 In these Regulations, unless the context otherwise requires– “ the Act ” means the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978; “the 1995 Act ” means the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 ; “adoption agency” means a local authority or an approved adoption society within the meaning of the Act; “adoption panel” means a panel appointed in accordance with regulation 7; “court” means an authorised court as defined by section 56 of the Act; “health board” means a health board constituted under section 2 of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978 ; “parent” has the meaning given to that term in section 65 of the Act . 2 In these Regulations any reference to an adoption order shall include reference to an order under section 49 of the Act and any reference to a person proposing to adopt a child shall include reference to a person proposing to apply for such an order. 3 In these Regulations any reference to a numbered regulation or schedule shall be construed as a reference to the regulation or schedule bearing that number in these Regulations, and any reference to a numbered paragraph shall be a reference to the paragraph bearing that number in the regulation in which the reference to the numbered paragraph is made. Approved adoption societies 3 1 An application to the Secretary of State under section 3 of the Act for approval as an adoption society shall– a be made in writing; b provide information about the applicant as to the matters specified in sub-sections (3) to (5) of that section; and c where the application is for approval to act or continue to act as an adoption society functioning in relation to some service maintained, or to be maintained, as part of the Scottish Adoption Service, specify that service and provide further information about the applicant as to the matters specified in Schedule 1. 2 An unincorporated body is prohibited from applying to the Secretary of State for his approval under section 3 of the Act to its acting as an adoption society. 3 An approved adoption society shall notify the Secretary of State in writing of any change in its name or in the address of its registered or head office within one month after such change. 4 An approved adoption society shall prepare an annual report on the exercise of its functions in relation to adoption and shall provide the Secretary of State with a copy of such a report as soon as possible after the expiry of the year to which the report relates. 5 As soon as possible after the end of each financial year of an approved adoption society, the society shall provide the Secretary of State with an abstract of the society’s accounts for that year, signed on behalf of the society and certified by its auditors. Complaints procedure of approved adoption societies 4 1 The procedures established by an approved adoption society for the purpose of dealing with complaints arising in relation to the exercise of its functions shall comply with paragraphs (2) to (8) hereinafter known as the “complaints procedure”. 2 The complaints procedure shall apply to any representations (including complaints) received by the approved adoption society in writing from– a any person, or anyone acting on behalf of a person; b a child or, on behalf of a child, any person with parental responsibilities or parental rights in respect of the child; or c any person with an interest in the child and in the functions of the society in relation to the child, where the representations relate to the society’s exercise, or failure or refusal to exercise, in respect of that person or child any of the functions for which the society is approved under section 3 of the Act. 3 The complaints procedure shall provide for the appointment of– a one of the employees of the approved adoption society for the purpose of receiving, and acknowledging as soon as reasonably practicable, any representations under the procedure, arranging for the consideration of them and for the giving of a response to them on behalf of the society; and b one or more persons for the purpose of investigating the representations, each being a person who is not a member or employee of the society, or related or married to, or living with such a member or employee. 4 The complaints procedure shall provide for– a a response in writing by the adoption society to the substance of the representations to be given to the person who made them, as soon as reasonably practicable following receipt of the representations by the society; b arrangements to be made by the society to appoint a complaints review committee for the purpose of considering further representations, where within 28 days from giving a response under sub-paragraph (a), the society receives notice in writing from the person who made the representations that he is not satisfied with the response; c any complaints review committee appointed by the society to be composed of 3 persons, at least one of whom shall be a person who is not a member or employee of the society and is not related or married to, or living with such a member or employee, and none of whom shall be a person appointed by the society for the purpose mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(b); d the complaints review committee to consider the representations as soon as reasonably practicable, and to report to the society in writing with a recommendation on the disposal of the matter along with reasons for that recommendation; and e the society, as soon as reasonably practicable, to take a decision on the matter after it has received the report from the complaints review committee, taking account of the recommendation of that committee, and to give notice in writing of that decision, with the reasons for it, to the person who made the representations. 5 An approved adoption society shall keep a record of– a any representations received under the complaints procedure; b the investigation into any such representations, including the report of any complaints review committee appointed under sub-paragraph (4)(b); and c the disposal of the representations. 6 An approved adoption society shall make available information about its complaints procedure to– a any person having an interest and who requests it; and b every person in respect of whom the society exercises, or decides not to exercise, any of the functions for which it is approved under section 3 of the Act. 7 An approved adoption society may make arrangements to deal with any informal representations received by it from any person in relation to the exercise, or failure or refusal to exercise, any of the functions for which it is approved under section 3 of the Act, provided that– a when replying to any informal representations the society advises the person who made them of the entitlement to make representations under the complaints procedure; and b the society provides that person with such assistance as is appropriate and as he may require in making representations under the complaints procedure should he wish to do so. 8 An approved adoption society shall take such steps as are appropriate to ensure that the employees of the society are aware of its complaints procedure. Cessation as approved adoption society 5 1 An approved adoption society which intends to cease to act as an adoption society shall notify the Secretary of State in writing of such intention at least 3 months before the intended date of such cessation. 2 An approved adoption society which has ceased to act as an adoption society shall notify the Secretary of State in writing that it has ceased so to act, as soon thereafter as is reasonably practicable. Appointment of medical and legal advisers 6 1 An adoption agency shall appoint such number of registered medical practitioners as it considers necessary for the purpose of providing it with medical advice in connection with the exercise of its functions. 2 An adoption agency shall appoint such number of solicitors or advocates as it considers necessary for the purpose of providing it with legal advice in connection with the exercise of its functions and for the purpose of this paragraph “solicitor” means a person qualified to practise as a solicitor further to the provisions of section 4 of the Solicitors (Scotland) Act 1980 ; and “advocate” means a practising member of the Faculty of Advocates. Appointment, composition, qualifications etc. of adoption panels 7 1 A local authority shall appoint an adoption panel for the purpose of considering and advising on the matters specified in regulation 11 and may appoint such additional adoption panels as it considers necessary. 2 An approved adoption society which is carrying out or proposing to carry out functions described in regulation 11 shall appoint an adoption panel for the purpose of considering and advising on the matters specified in that regulation, and may appoint such additional adoption panels as it considers necessary. 3 An adoption agency shall satisfy itself that the numbers, qualifications and experience of individual members of an adoption panel will enable it effectively to discharge its functions under regulation 11. 4 An adoption panel shall consist of not less than 6 persons each of whom shall be competent to assess whether any recommendation in relation to a child to be made by virtue of regulation 11(1) is likely to promote the welfare of the child, and shall include at least one man and at least one woman. 5 The persons appointed to an adoption panel shall include– a a person appointed as a medical adviser to the adoption agency under regulation 6(1); and b a person appointed as a legal adviser to the adoption agency under regulation 6(2). 6 An adoption panel shall make the recommendations specified– a in regulation 11 only when at least 3 of its members, excluding any medical and legal adviser appointed to the panel under paragraph (5), meet as a panel; and b in regulation 11(1)(a) only when a legal adviser appointed to the adoption panel under paragraph (5) is present, or legal advice has been provided to the panel by such an adviser. Duties of adoption agencies in making arrangements for freeing for adoption 8 An adoption agency which is a local authority shall not make application for an order under section 18 of the Act (freeing a child for adoption) unless– a the adoption agency has, so far as is reasonably practicable, ascertained the particulars set out in Part I of Schedule 2; b the adoption agency has obtained a report prepared within the previous 12 months by a fully registered medical practitioner as to the health of the child; c the adoption agency has prepared a written report containing its observations on the matters referred to in this regulation and has passed that report, together with all information obtained by it by virtue of this regulation, to the adoption panel or to another adoption agency; and d the adoption agency, after considering all the information obtained in pursuance of this regulation and having regard to the recommendation of the adoption panel under regulation 11 and all other circumstances, has concluded in accordance with sections 6 and 6A of the Act that adoption is likely to best meet the needs of the child, and that either– i regulations 17(2), or regulation 18(3) or (5) apply to the case of the child; or ii the welfare of the child would be best met by the making of an application for an order under section 18 of the Act at that time whether or not the child has been placed with a person with a view to his being adopted by that person. Duties of adoption agencies in making arrangements for adoption 9 1 An adoption agency shall not place or secure the placing of a child in the care and possession of any person proposing to adopt the child until– a the adoption agency has so far as is reasonably practicable, ascertained the particulars set out in Schedule 2; b the adoption agency has obtained a report prepared within the previous 12 months by a fully registered medical practitioner as to the health of the child; c the adoption agency has obtained a report prepared within the previous 12 months by a fully registered medical practitioner as to the health of each person proposing to adopt the child; d that person has been interviewed by or on behalf of the adoption agency; e the adoption agency has satisfied itself by a visit on its behalf that any premises in Great Britain within which that person intends that the child shall have his home are satisfactory; f the adoption agency has made enquiries to satisfy itself that there is no reason to believe that it would be detrimental to the welfare of the child for him to be kept by that person and by that person in those premises and has inquired of every local authority in whose area those premises are situated whether that local authority has reason to believe that it would be detrimental to the welfare of the child– i for him to be kept by that person in those premises; or ii or the proposed adoption to proceed; g the adoption agency has prepared a written report containing its observations on the matters referred to in this regulation and has passed that report, together with all information obtained by it by virtue of this regulation, to the adoption panel or to another adoption agency; h the adoption agency has concluded in accordance with section 6 and 6A of the Act that the welfare of the child would be best met by his being so placed. 2 The adoption agency shall arrange such medical investigations and tests as are considered necessary to be carried out on the child and shall arrange that a report based thereon is obtained from a fully registered medical practitioner unless such tests have already been carried out and the findings are known to the agency. 3 Wherever practicable any report in connection with paragraph (2) shall be included in the report obtained by the adoption agency under paragraph 1(b) of this regulation. Duties of adoption agencies in assessing prospective adopters 10 1 An adoption agency shall prepare and make available to any person with an interest a statement of the general criteria which the agency applies for the purpose of considering whether any person may be accepted by the agency for assessment as an adoptive parent. 2 An adoption agency shall from time to time review the general criteria prepared by it under paragraph (1). 3 In considering any application by a person to be assessed by the adoption agency as an adoptive parent, the agency shall apply the general criteria prepared under paragraph (1), and undertake any further steps necessary to consider the application. 4 Where following any action mentioned in paragraph (3) the adoption agency decides– a that the person should not be accepted for assessment as an adoptive parent, the agency shall give notice in writing to that person; or b that the person should be accepted for assessment as mentioned, the agency shall assess the case and refer it to the adoption panel for a recommendation to the agency on the matter. 5 Where referring the case of a prospective adopter to the adoption panel under paragraph (4), the adoption agency shall at the same time give– a a copy of the report on the case to the adoption panel; and b notice to the prospective adopter that the case has been referred to the adoption panel and a copy of the report provided to the panel, (excluding any information from third parties given in confidence). Functions of adoption panels 11 1 Subject to paragraphs (4), (5) and (6), an adoption panel shall consider the case of every child and proposed placement referred to it by the adoption agency and the case of every prospective adopter referred to it by the agency under regulation 10(4), and shall make recommendations to the agency on such of the following matters as may be appropriate– a whether adoption is in the best interests of a child and if the panel recommends that it is whether an application under section 18 of the Act should be made to free the child for adoption; b whether a prospective adopter is suitable to be an adoptive parent; and c whether a prospective adopter would be a suitable adoptive parent for a particular child. 2 Where making a recommendation to the adoption agency under paragraph (1)(a) whether adoption is in the best interests of the child– a an adoption panel shall provide a written report of the consideration given by it to the alternatives to adoption before coming to that recommendation; and b the adoption panel shall, when recommending in addition that following any adoption there be continued contact between the child and one or both of his then parents, provide a written report of the reasons why adoption is recommended rather than an alternative course of action. 3 An adoption panel may make the recommendation specified in paragraph (1)(b) only where they had the opportunity to meet with the prospective adopter and had the opportunity to discuss the matter with him. 4 An adoption panel may make the recommendations specified in paragraph (1) at the same time or at different times but it shall make the recommendation specified in paragraph (1)(c) in respect of a particular child and prospective adopter only if– a at the meeting of the panel at which that recommendation is to be made a recommendation is also made that adoption is in the best interests of the child; or b an adoption agency decision has been made in accordance with regulation 12(1) that adoption is in the best interests of the child; and c in either case– i at the meeting of the panel at which the recommendation specified in paragraph (1)(c) is to be made a recommendation is also made that the prospective adopter is suitable to be an adoptive parent; or ii an adoption agency decision has been made in accordance with regulation 12(1) that the prospective adopter is suitable to be an adoptive parent. 5 In considering what recommendations to make the panel shall have regard to the duties imposed upon the adoption agency by sections 6, 6A and 7 of the Act (duty to promote welfare of child, consider alternatives to adoption and religious upbringing of adopted child) and shall as the case may be– a consider and take into account all the information and reports passed to it by virtue of regulation 8(c) or 9(1)(g) and in accordance with paragraph (6); b request the adoption agency to obtain any other relevant information which the panel considers necessary; c obtain legal advice in relation to each case. 6 An adoption agency may request an adoption panel to consider and advise on any other matters relevant to the agency’s performance of its functions under the Act, or under these regulations or under any other regulations made under the Act. Adoption agency decisions and notifications 12 1 An adoption agency shall make a decision within 14 days from the date of the recommendation of the adoption panel, on a matter referred to in regulations 11(1)(a), (b) or (c) and only after taking into account the relevant recommendation of that adoption panel. 2 An adoption agency shall record in writing its reasons for any decision under paragraph (1) which is contrary to a recommendation of the adoption panel. 3 Within 7 days from the date of a decision under paragraph (1) the adoption agency shall, as appropriate, notify in writing– a the parents of the child, including where the adoption agency considers this to be in the child’s interests, the father or mother of a child who is a parent in terms of section 15(1) of the 1995 Act but does not have parental responsibilities, or the guardian of the child if their whereabouts are known to the adoption agency, of its decision as to whether it considers adoption to be in the best interests of the child; b the persons to be notified under sub-paragraph (a) of its decision as to whether an application under section 18 of the Act should be made to free the child for adoption; c the prospective adopter of its decision as to whether it considers him to be suitable to be an adoptive parent; and d the prospective adopter of its decision as to whether he would be suitable as such for a particular child. 4 As soon as is reasonably practicable after making a decision under paragraph (1) that adoption is not likely to best meet the needs of the child as there is some better, practicable alternative, or that an application under section 18 of the Act would be in the child’s best interests, or after deciding that the agreement mentioned in regulation 14(1)(d) is not forthcoming, an approved adoption society shall take such steps, if any, in relation to the case as they consider appropriate and in the interests of the child. 5 A local authority referring the case of a child subject to a supervision requirement to the Principal Reporter under section 73(4)(c)(ii) or (iii) of the 1995 Act or section 22A of the Act shall not do so until it is in a position to proceed under regulation 15(1) or 15(2), and shall do so in the form set out in Schedule 3 or in form to like effect. Freeing or placing for adoption a child subject to a supervision requirement 13 1 An adoption agency which is a local authority shall, for the purpose of considering whether it is satisfied in accordance with section 73(4)(c)(ii) or (iii) of the 1995 Act that the best interests of a child subject to a supervision requirement would be served by their applying under section 18 of the Act for an order freeing the child for adoption or placing the child for adoption, take into account a recommendation of the adoption panel on the matter under regulation 11(1) before coming to a decision. 2 An approved adoption society shall, for the purpose of considering whether it is satisfied in accordance with section 22A of the Act that the best interests of a child subject to a supervision requirement would be served by its placing the child for adoption, take into account a recommendation of the adoption panel on the matter under regulation 11(1) before coming to a decision. Information and certificate for parents on notification of adoption agency’s decision 14 1 The adoption agency shall, when notifying the parents or guardian of a child of the agency’s decision under regulation 12 on a matter referred to in regulation 11(1)(a)– a shall provide each parent or guardian with a memorandum either– i in the form set out in Schedule 4 where it is proposed to make arrangements for adoption of the child; or– in the form set out in Schedule 5 where it is proposed to make an application for a freeing order under section 18 of the Act; b shall take such steps as are reasonably practicable to ensure that each parent or guardian signs and returns to the agency a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 4 or 5 as the case may be, or a form to the like effect, certifying that he has read and understood that memorandum; c shall at the request of the parents or guardian provide them with the names and addresses of adoption agencies, if they are available, which might meet their wishes regarding the child’s upbringing in a particular religious persuasion; d at the same time provide each parent or guardian with a certificate in the form set out in Schedule 6 or 7 as the case may be, certifying the agreement or otherwise of the parent or guardian with the proposal under paragraph (1)(a)(i) or, as the case may be, (ii); and e ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that each parent or guardian completes and signs the certificate and returns it to the agency within 28 days. 2 Where the identity of a parent as defined by section 15(1) of the 1995 Act but not having parental responsibilities of a child is known to the adoption agency, it shall so far as it considers it reasonably practicable and in the interests of the child– a carry out in respect of such parent the requirements of paragraph (1)(a) and (b), as if they applied to him, unless the agency is satisfied that another adoption agency has so complied with those requirements; b obtain in respect of such parent the information required under Schedule 2 and ascertain so far as possible whether he intends to apply for any parental responsibilities or parental rights in relation to the child, or enter into a parental responsibilities agreement under section 4 of the 1995 Act. Return of consent certificate 15 1 Where each parent or guardian within a period of 28 days from the date of receipt of the certificate mentioned in regulation 14(1)(d) returns to the adoption agency the certificate specified in regulation 14 stating his agreement to the agency’s decision, the agency shall determine that such agreement as is mentioned in section 16(1)(b)(i) or, as the case may be, section 18(1)(a) of the Act is likely to be forthcoming and for the purposes of section 27(1) of the Act the certificate shall be sufficient proof of consent. 2 Unless the agency receives the certificate referred to in paragraph (1) within the 28 days specified (or where the parent or guardian cannot be contacted within 28 days from reasonable efforts being made to make contact), the agency shall proceed as though such agreement mentioned in paragraph (1) is unlikely to be forthcoming. 3 Where a parent or guardian who has returned a certificate under regulation 15(1) subsequently notifies in writing to an agency that his agreement is no longer forthcoming, the agency shall from the date of receipt of the notification proceed, for the purposes of paragraph (1) but not where the child has already been placed for adoption for the purposes of section 27(1) of the Act, as though such agreement under the Act as is referred to in paragraph (1) is unlikely to be forthcoming and shall, if the adoption agency is a local authority, perform the duties referred to in regulation 17, or as the case may be regulation 18, as appropriate in light of the change of circumstances. Appropriate steps as soon as practicable by adoption society 16 As soon as is reasonably practicable after making a decision to proceed under regulation 15(2) as though the agreement is unlikely to be forthcoming, or from the date of receipt of a notification under regulation 15(3), an approved adoption society shall take such steps, if any, in relation to the case as they consider appropriate and in the interests of the child. Legal process where the child is not subject to supervision requirement 17 1 This regulation applies where a child is not subject to a supervision requirement and arrangements for adoption are proposed in respect of him by an adoption agency which is a local authority. 2 Subject to paragraph (3), an adoption agency shall require to make an application for an order under section 18(1) of the Act in relation to the child by the end of the period of 28 days from the receipt of a certificate specified in regulation 14(1)(d) certifying that the parent or guardian does not agree with the agency’s decision, or from the date that the adoption agency proceeds under regulation 15(2) as though such agreement is unlikely to be forthcoming. 3 Paragraph (2) does not apply where an application for an adoption order has been made in relation to the child. Legal process where the child is subject to supervision requirement 18 1 This regulation applies where a child is subject to a supervision requirement and arrangements for adoption are proposed in respect of him by an adoption agency which is a local authority. 2 Where an adoption agency decides to proceed under regulation 15 as though such agreement as mentioned is unlikely to be forthcoming, the agency shall within 7 days from the date of the decision notify under section 73(4)(c)(ii) of the 1995 Act the Principal Reporter of this in terms of regulation 12(5). 3 Subject to paragraph (4), where the adoption agency receives a report from a children’s hearing under section 73(13) of the 1995 Act providing advice which supports the decision of the agency in relation to the child concerned the agency, where paragraph (2) applies, shall within a period of 28 days from the date of the children’s hearing make an application for an order under section 18(1) of the Act. 4 Subject to paragraph (5), where the adoption agency receives a report from a children’s hearing further to section 73(13) of the 1995 Act which provides advice which does not support the decision of the agency in relation to the child, the agency shall within 28 days from the date of the children’s hearing review its decision in the matter and come to a further decision taking into account the report from the children’s hearing and any further recommendations from the adoption panel that it may wish to seek and shall notify the Principal Reporter of its decision. 5 Subject to paragraph (6), where the adoption agency decides further to paragraph (4) that adoption remains in the best interests of the child, the agency shall make an application for an order under section 18(1) of the Act provided that such application must be within the same 28 days specified in paragraph (4). 6 Paragraphs (3), (4) and (5) do not apply where an application for an adoption order has been made in relation to the child. Placement for adoption 19 1 Where an adoption agency has decided in accordance with regulation 12(1) that a prospective adopter would be a suitable adoptive parent for a particular child it shall provide the person proposing to adopt the child with– a written information about the child’s background, parentage, health and mental and emotional development; b written advice about– i the need to tell the child about his adoption and origins; ii the provisions in the Act relating to the right of adopted persons to obtain information from the Register of Births and the availability of counselling services for adopted persons under section 45 of the Act; and iii the availability of counselling services on any problems relating to the adoption; and c a copy of a report based on the medical findings on that child obtained under regulation 9. 2 The adoption agency shall, in connection with the placement of a child for adoption with a prospective adopter– a notify the local authority in whose area the prospective adopter resides (if different from the agency making the placement) in writing of the placement with particulars of the placement; b notify the education authority in whose area the prospective adopter resides in writing of the placement with particulars of the placement if the child is of compulsory school age within the meaning of section 31 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980 , and such notification shall take place before the placement if the adoption agency’s medical adviser considers the child to have a problem of medical significance or special educational needs; c notify the health board in whose area the prospective adopter resides in writing of the placement with particulars of the placement, and such notification shall take place before the placement if the adoption agency’s medical adviser considers the child to have a problem of medical significance to his future care; d send a written report of the child’s health history and current state of health to the prospective adopter’s registered medical practitioner before the proposed placement, together with particulars of the proposed placement; e notify in writing the parents of the child, including where the agency considers this to be in the child’s best interests the father or mother of a child who is a parent in terms of section 15(1) of the 1995 Act but does not have parental responsibilities, or the guardian of the child if their whereabouts are known to the adoption agency, that the child has been placed for adoption, but no such notification shall be given to a person who has made a declaration under section 18(6) or 19(4) of the Act (declaration as to no further involvement with the child); and has not withdrawn that declaration under section 19 of the Act; f ensure that the child is visited on its behalf within one week of his placement with a prospective adopter and thereafter on such other occasions as the adoption agency considers necessary in order to supervise the child’s well-being as long as the child and the prospective adopter remain domiciled in Great Britain or until an adoption order under section 12 of the Act has been made by the court in favour of the prospective adopters; g ensure that written reports are produced reporting on the said visits. Progress reports under section 19 of the Act 20 Where parental responsibilities and rights relating to a child who is in Great Britain have been transferred from one adoption agency to another by virtue of an order under section 21 of the Act, the agency from which those parental responsibilities and rights are transferred shall provide such information to the agency receiving the parental responsibilities and rights as it may require to enable it to comply with its duty under section 19(2) and (3) of the Act (progress reports to relevant parent). Review of case where no placement made within 6 months of freeing for adoption 21 Where a child has been freed for adoption by virtue of an order under section 18 of the Act and the child has not been placed for adoption in accordance with the Act and these regulations after 6 months from the making of that order, the adoption agency to which the parental responsibilities and parental rights are transferred by virtue of section 18 or 21 of the Act shall review that child’s case forthwith to determine why no placement has been made and what action, if any, should be taken to safeguard and promote his welfare; and thereafter the agency shall review the case at intervals of not more than 6 months until the child has been placed for adoption. Provision of information to courts by adoption agencies 22 1 Where application is made to a court– a by an adoption agency for an order under section 18 of the Act freeing a child for adoption; or b by a person proposing to adopt a child and with whom the child has been placed by an adoption agency under the Act and in accordance with these regulations, the adoption agency shall provide, within such period as may be specified in a timetable drawn up by the court under section 25A of the Act and in accordance with any directions given by the court under that section, a report to the court to which application has been made giving such information on the background and circumstances of the child, his family and (where appropriate) the persons proposing to adopt him as it has been able to discover in accordance with these Regulations and any other matters relevant to the operation of section 6 of the Act (duty to promote welfare of child) as read with section 6A or as may be required by the court in accordance with section 23 of the Act (reports where child placed by agency). 2 The adoption agency shall also provide to the court to which an application specified in paragraph (1) has been made any report by a children’s hearing providing advice on the application obtained in terms of section 73(13) of the 1995 Act or that provision as applied by section 22A(3) of the Act. Confidentiality and preservation of case records 23 1 Subject to regulation 24, any information obtained or recommendations, reports or decisions made by virtue of these Regulations or given to the adoption agency, shall be treated by the agency as confidential. 2 Where a case record has been set up by an adoption agency in respect of a child or a prospective adopter any report, recommendation or decision made by that agency by virtue of these Regulations in respect of that child or that prospective adopter shall be placed on the case record relating to that child or, as the case may be, that prospective adopter, and any case records set up by the agency together with the indexes to them shall be kept in a place of special security. 3 Subject to regulation 26(2), an adoption agency shall preserve the indexes to all its case records and the case records in respect of those cases in which an adoption order is made in a place of special security for at least 75 years and shall preserve other case records in a place of special security for so long as it considers appropriate; and such case records and indexes may be preserved on computer records or such other system as reproduces the total contents of any such record or index. Access to case records and disclosure of information 24 1 Subject to paragraph (3), an adoption agency shall provide such access to its case records and the indexes to them and disclose such information in its possession, as may be required– a to those holding an inquiry under section 6A of the Social Work (Scotland) Act 1968 (inquiries), for the purposes of such an inquiry; b to the Secretary of State; c to the Commissioner for Local Administration in Scotland appointed under section 24 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975 for the purpose of any investigation conducted under Part II of the Act; d to the persons and authorities referred to in regulations 12, 19 and 20 to the extent specified in those regulations; e to a court under regulation 22 to the extent specified in that regulation; f to a curator ad litem or reporting officer appointed under rules made pursuant to section 58 of the Act (curator ad litem and reporting officer) for the purpose of the discharge of his duties in that behalf. 2 Subject to paragraph (3), an adoption agency may provide such access to its case records and the indexes to them and disclose such information in its possession, as it thinks fit– a for the purposes of carrying out its functions as an adoption agency; and b to a person who is authorised in writing by the Secretary of State to obtain information for the purposes of research. 3 A written record shall be kept by an adoption agency of any access provided or disclosure made by virtue of this regulation. Disclosure of information to adopted person 25 Where an adopted person who has attained the age of 16 years, if in Scotland, or 18 years, if in England or Wales, applies for counselling under section 45(6) of the Act or section 51 of the Adoption Act 1976 , an adoption agency may disclose information which it has relating to that person’s adoption to– a that adopted person; b the local authority for the area in Scotland where the adopted person lives, if he has applied to them for counselling; c the Registrar General for England and Wales; d the local authority for the area in England and Wales where the adopted person is, if he has applied to them for counselling; e the local authority for the area in England or Wales where the court sat which made the order relating to the adopted person, if he has applied to that authority for counselling. Transfer of case records 26 1 Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), an approved adoption society may transfer a copy of a case record (or part thereof) to another adoption agency when it considers this to be in the interests of a child or prospective adopter to whom the record relates, and a written record shall be kept of any such transfer. 2 An approved adoption society which intends to cease to act or exist as such shall forthwith either transfer its case records to another adoption agency having first obtained the Secretary of State’s approval for such transfer, or transfer its case records– a to the local authority in whose area the society’s head office is situated; or b in the case of an approved adoption society which amalgamates with another approved adoption society to form a new approved adoption society, to the new society. 3 An adoption agency to which case records are transferred by virtue of paragraph 2(a) or (b) shall notify the Secretary of State in writing of such transfer. James Douglas-Hamilton Minister of State, Scottish Office St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh 24th December 1996