For Professionals
Resources & Info
Resources & InfoResources & Info
Listed below are the key pieces of legislation and guidance that related to children and particularly children in the care of local authorities and those awaiting adoption. All those working with these children should be familiar with these as they form the framework for best practice.
England
Adoption support fund (ASF) July 2018 (updated May 2019)
Local authorities (LAs) and regional adoption agencies (RAAs) can apply for therapeutic funding for eligible adoptive and special guardianship order families.
Working together to safeguard children July 2018 (updated February 2019)
Statutory guidance on inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
Children and Social Work Act 2017
Care and adoption proceedings amendments (England and Wales)
The Adoption and Children Act Register (Search and Inspection) Regulations 2017
Regional adoption agencies programme June 2015
Information about the move to regional adoption agencies.
Children and Families Act 2014
Scotland
Scotland’s Adoption Register Regulations 2016
Scotland is Getting it right for every child (GIRFEC) (2015)
National guidance for child protection in Scotland (2014)
Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014
National guidance for child protection in Scotland (2014)
The Adoption Agencies (Scotland)Regulations 2009
Period to Prepare an Adoption Allowances Scheme (Scotland) Order 2009
Guidance on Looked After Children (Scotland) Regulations 2009
Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007
Northern Ireland
Revised regional core child protection policies and procedures for Northern Ireland (2018)
Children and young people’s strategy 2017-2027
Working together to improve the well-being of children and young people living in Northern Ireland
Adoption and children Bill (Northern Ireland) (2017, draft)
Co-operating to Safeguard Children and young people in Northern Ireland (2017)
Children’s Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015
Safeguarding Board Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
The Voluntary Adoption Agencies Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010
The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.
Wales
Local Authority Adoption Services (Wales) Regulations 2019
Codes of practice and statutory guidance (last updated June 2018)
Children and Social Work Act 2017
Care and adoption proceedings amendments (England and Wales)
Working together to safeguard people guidance (Welsh Government, 2017)
Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015
Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014
Rights of Children and Young Persons (Wales) Measure 2011
Enshrining the UN Convention on the rights of the child (UNCRC) into legislation
All Wales Child Protection Procedures 2008
Access to Information (Post-Commencement Adoptions) (Wales) Regulations 2005
Adoption Agencies (Wales) Regulations 2005