4.3.1 Relinquished Children

1. Introduction

All local authorities have a statutory duty to respond to a request from a parent or guardian for their child to be placed for adoption, and a separate process to progress this, at least in the initial stages, outside of the Care Proceedings process is established in Part 3 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

Working with a request for a child to be relinquished will be challenging for many practitioners on the basis that most children's best interest is served by being with their parent and it will be important to ascertain the reasons why the parent(s) sees the best interest for their child in this way and to offer challenges to this through a counselling process. (See Section 4, Counselling).

Throughout this process it will remain important:

• That the the rights and the interest of all concerned remains paramount;
• To ensure there is minimal delay in securing the child's permanent future plan. The High Court in A Local Authority v JK & Anor [2021] EWHC 33 stated that '…absent good reason to the contrary, a non-notification application should ordinarily be brought within a matter of weeks of the birth, rather than months'. Therefore;
• Referrals to Cafcass, the Permanence Team and, if required a Placements Order Application or a Part 19 Application, together with completion of all necessary documentation are made in a timely way. The need for the adoption agency to explain carefully and sensitively to the mother every staging post of the proposed adoption process and the non-notification procedure, setting out the competing factors and considerations;
• That effective counselling is offered to the parent(s) with regard to the decision; and,
  • Clear consideration is given to the parent(s) competency to make the decision;
  • The parent(s) are fully aware of their rights and options throughout the process with regard to the child;
• That the practitioner remains in contact with the parent(s) for as long as possible to 'get to know' the parent(s) so as to be able to provide information for the child later in their life;
• Children's Social Services should seek to ensure that, following a request for a child to be relinquished, the matter should be transferred to the appropriate team best able to work with the parent(s)/guardian(s) and progress the child's plan as soon as possible (see Allocation of Work and Transfer between Teams – Case Transfer and Closure).

2. Referral

Referrals will be received via the Contacts and Referrals Procedure and should be dealt with promptly. Requests may be self-referrals or come from a GP, Midwife, school, other health professional or family member, etc.

As much information as possible should be taken at this initial stage about the parent(s) and their circumstances, but must be balanced with a need for sensitivity and an understanding that key areas will be dealt with through the counselling process that will be required (see Section 4, Counselling).

The practitioner dealing with the request should bring the matter to the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Team Manager's attention as well as the Permanence Team Manager. At this point a discussion between both managers should take place in order to establish if this case is that of a relinquished child.

Once the case has been allocated, the allocated practitioner, ideally accompanied by an adoption worker, should undertake at least one visit but preferably a series of visits to the parent(s), if they are willing, to discuss:

• The decision to place the child for adoption;
• The identity of the child's father, including his address, any known wishes and feelings, if the wishes acquire parental responsibility and any part he wishes to play in the process;
• Their views about notifying the child's father, or extended family, where possible gathering details about the father's background and that of the family. Where a mother, or mother and father, are expressing a wish that an infant is placed for adoption without notification to either the child's father or extended family; (See section 3 Request for infant to be placed for adoption without notification to either child's father or extended family);
• The parent's(s) background and information about their family;
• Any cultural issues and how they have affected the decision made by the parent(s);
• The implications of adoption for the child;
• The legal process required to achieve adoption;
• Other possible options for the care of the child;
• The adoption counselling service and how to access it;
• Whether the parent(s) require any other form of support and how that might be achieved;
• Request a copy of the Birth Certificate (if available).

No assurance should be offered to a parent during the social work visit/s that notice of the birth of the child will be withheld from the father and/or extended family members.

The parent(s) must be provided with written information, where available, about the process and adoption counselling services.

Where the father is identified, the local authority should check its records for any background information known about him.

The Placement Management Service must be informed immediately and it should begin the process of finding a suitable placement, preferably with 'foster for adoption' / early permanence carers.

CAFCASS must be informed as soon as the local authority is notified so that it can allocate a worker to the case for the purpose of meeting with the parent(s) to discuss, and where appropriate, take consent for adoption. See Section 3, Request for Infant to be Placed for Adoption Without Notification to Either Child's Father or Extended Family (paragraph 6).

3. Request for Infant to be Placed for Adoption Without Notification to Either Child's Father or Extended Family

The local authority files should be checked for background information about the mother and extended family and for contacts with other relevant agencies, such as health and police.

The local authority should critically examine all information that it receives and, in circumstances where the mother states the identity of the father is unknown to her, the local authority should carefully consider her statement and her explanation to consider whether there is any basis for considering that the statement might be false. If the local authority does form that view, it should consider if there is any reasonable way by which the identity of the birth father could be established.

The social worker should, as a matter of urgency, seek legal advice to ascertain whether the matter should be placed before the court in all cases where:

• The mother opposes notification to the father, if identified;
• The mother knows the identity of the father but is unwilling to disclose this information;
• The local authority has reason to doubt the reliability of the mother's claim that the identity of the father is unknown, or;
• The mother is opposed to any notification to her family or the father's family.

Consideration will be given as a matter of urgency as to whether a Part 19 Application should be made or other proceedings issued.

Where an application is to be made, the social worker should prepare a detailed statement setting out the information gathered and providing the local authority's position regarding the wish of the mother, or mother and father, to relinquish the child without notifying the father and/or extended family members.

If a decision is made that a Part 19 Application is not required, the local authority should immediately notify CAFCASS and provide detailed reasons for that decision to allow CAFCASS to consider this information prior to meeting with the mother, or mother and father, when discussing consent under section 19 or for any later adoption application.

The principles to be applied to the decision about whether a father or a relative should be informed are:

• The mother's right to a private life is engaged and can be infringed only where the interests of others require it;
• The importance of the adoption decision for the child and wider family can justify overriding the mother's wishes, but whether it will do so depends on the facts of each case;
• The decision should be prioritised and considered both urgently and with thoroughness;
• The facts must be established as much as possible, not taking mother's information at face value;
• A fair balance must be struck between the various interests; the welfare of the child is important but not paramount.

The following factors are relevant:

• If a father has parental responsibility compelling reasons would be required before information could be withheld;
• If the father or relative has an established family life with the mother or child his Article 8 rights require strong reasons before information is withheld;
• An assessment should be made of the substance of relationships between the parents and the significance of relatives;
• The likelihood of a family placement being a realistic alternative to adoption;
• The impact on the mother of notification being given. Excessive weight should not be given to short term difficulties or social unpleasantness;
• Cultural and religious factors, could either increase the risks of notification or give greater importance to the child being placed within the family;
• The availability of information – the mother cannot be forced to name a father or relative – and the likelihood of the information being able to be kept secret
• The impact of delay – an application to court will mean some necessary delay but there may be circumstances where any delay would have a significant impact;
• Other relevant matters.

This list is not exhaustive and all relevant matters must be considered.

4. Counselling

Counselling should be undertaken as promptly as possible following the referral, by an experienced practitioner who has knowledge and skills in adoption, and include a discussion about the issues adoption brings for both the parent/guardian and the child.

4.1 Assessing the Parent(s)

The practitioner counselling the parent(s)/guardian(s) should ensure that they:

• Understand the reason(s) why the parent/guardian is seeking to place the child for adoption;
• Consider the parent(s)/guardian's general situation and circumstances;
• Are aware of the position of the birth father;
• Are aware of any communication requirements:
  • As a result of a physical or learning disability;
  • English being a second language.
• Are aware of any issues around literacy skills the parent(s) may have;
• Identify ethnicity and any cultural issues;
• Know of any physical or learning disabilities that are impacting upon the circumstances;
• Recognise any immigration concerns;
• Identify any other issues that may appear to the practitioner to be relevant.
  (See also Section 5, Consent and Competency).

Where the baby is accommodated under Section 20 of the Children Act 1989, give consideration to Re N (Children) (Adoption: Jurisdiction) [2015] (see also: Decision to Look After Procedure, Section 20 Accommodation).

4.2 Options and Alternatives to Adoption

Counselling should ensure that the parent/guardian has considered the options:

• Staying with the parent/guardian or birth family, with close support where possible;
• Where the baby and parent(s) are accommodated with foster carers in order to provide training and support to the parent(s) to help them overcome their anxiety and develop their parenting skills and confidence so that they are able to care for the child;
• Short-term foster care, with the aim of returning the child with support;
• Long-term placement within the child's wider family (perhaps with a Child Arrangements Order);
• Placement for adoption.

4.3 Counselling About Adoption

Counselling the parent(s) should include providing information about adoption and gleaning information that might be relevant for the child:

• The implications of adoption as being life-long for the child and the birth family / parents, (see Section 67 Adoption and Children Act 2002);
• The legal consequences of consenting to a placement for adoption (Section 19); advance consent to a future adoption order (Section 20); the withdrawal of these consents; the legal effect of adoption itself; the option of indicating they do not want to be involved in future proceedings once Sections 19 and 20 have been completed;
• The issue of contact, especially contact after the placement for adoption has been made;
• The need for the Local Authority to provide a 'Later Life Letter' and Life Story Book for the child and to seek to involve the parent(s) in assisting with this (providing information, photos etc);
• An understanding from the parent of any known health issues/family medical history within their family that might be relevant to the child - both physical, mental and emotional;
• Whether the parent(s) want to be involved in a matching process;
• Information about the rights of the child to obtain information about their birth parents once they reach 18 years. and the possible implications of this for them as the parent;
• The role of Cafcass in ensuring consent is provided unconditionally and that they have a full understanding;
• The availability (providing details) of independent counselling, information and support to the parent(s) and their family;
• Provision of written information about the adoption process.

5. Consent and Competency

The Local Authority as the Adoption Agency must be sure that the parent or the guardian is competent to give consent.

Signed consent for relinquishment cannot be given six weeks prior or after the birth of the child.

During the counselling sessions, care should be given to identifying whether the parent(s) are capable of giving consent, especially if there is evidence of: learning disabilities; mental health issues; cultural, ethnic or faith issues; consent being given conditionally, etc.

Where there is concern as to the parent's understanding, an additional and specialist assessment should be sought from another professional - preferably someone who already knows the parent, such as an approved mental health social worker; a disabilities social worker; GP; midwife or health visitor; psychiatrist / psychologist or someone who can offer a faith or cultural perspective.

If the issue of competency is known at the point of referral or at an early stage in the process, then the Local Authority should not ask Cafcass to witness consent, until any such issues are resolved. Where a parent is under 18 years (i.e. considered to be a 'child' themselves within the meaning of the Children Act 1989), they can be considered to give valid consent if assessed as competent by the counselling practitioner.

The High Court in Re S (Child as parent: Adoption: Consent) [2017] EWHC 2729 (Fam) made clear that parental Capacity to consent to a child being accommodated under s.20 Children Act 1989, does not equate to their capacity to consent to an adoption order in respect of the child - the capacity to consent is decision-specific. (That case concerned a 'child parent' (i.e. below 18 years of age) with learning disabilities. The principles, however, will be of relevance in considering parental capacity, irrespective of their age).

The court set out the salient or 'sufficient' information which is required to be understood by a parent regarding extra-familial adoption:

1. Your child will have new legal parents, and will no longer be your son or daughter in law;
2. Adoption is final, and non-reversible;
3. During the process, other people (including social workers from the adoption agency) will be making decisions for the child, including who can see the child, and with whom the child will live;
4. You may obtain legal advice if you wish before taking the decision;
5. The child will live with a different family forever; you will (probably) not be able to choose the adopters;
6. You will have no right to see your child or have contact with your child; it is highly likely that direct contact with your child will cease, and any indirect contact will be limited;
7. The child may later trace you, but contact will only be re-established if the child wants this;
8. There are generally two stages to adoption; the child being placed with another family for adoption, and being formally adopted;
9. For a limited period of time you may change your mind; once placed for adoption, your right to change your mind is limited, and is lost when an adoption order is made.

When determining the competence of a parent in these circumstances, 'all practicable steps' must be taken to help them to make the decision, for example using simple language, visual aids or other means. A parent will be treated as understanding the information relevant to a decision if they are able to understand an explanation of it given to them in a way which is appropriate to their circumstances.

The decision to consent to adoption is significant and life-changing. Before exercising their decision-making, the parent should freely and fully understand the information set out on the consent forms, which should be conveyed and explained to them in an appropriate way; there is no expectation that the parent would be able to understand the precise language of the consent forms.

If there is any doubt about the competence of a parent to give consent to adoption or placement for adoption, the issue should be referred to a court.

Where it is considered that the parent is not capable of giving informed consent but the Local Authority decide to place the child for adoption following their counselling and assessment, an application for a placement order must be made. (See Section 22(1) Adoption and Children Act 2002).

(See also Court Reports in Placement Order Applications and in Adoption/Special Guardianship Guidance, Placement Order Application).

6. Decision of the Local Authority

Following the counselling stage and if the parent(s) continue to express their need for the child to be adopted, a decision to proceed to Adoption Panel for the child to be considered for adoption as a relinquished child should be made by the Permanence Team Manager (Note however, that it is the Adoption Panel recommendation and the Adoption Agency Decision Maker that will confirm the plan for the child). Arrangements for this process is outlined in the Placement for Adoption Procedure.

In addition the Local Authority need to inform the Cafcass office (closest to the parent(s)/guardian's address). (See Letter 1: Advanced Notification of the child to be relinquished for adoption: Sections 19 and 20 Adoption Children Act 2002).

See also:

• Decision to Look After Procedure;
• Section 6.1.1, Accommodation of the Child;
• Section 6.1.3, Adoption Case Record.

6.1 Child Who is Already Born

A referral to the Adoption Team should be made as soon as possible so that efforts can be made to identify an appropriate placement, including a Foster for Adoption placement (see Fostering for Adoption, Concurrent Planning and Temporary Approval as a Foster Carer of Approved Prospective Adopters Procedure).

Where the child is already in the care of the parent(s), an assessment and decision should be promptly made as to the point at which the child should be Accommodated, bearing in mind that separation will impact upon the child's developing attachment; this could be 'positively' if the parent(s)/guardian bond is poor, with the consequent impact upon the child's attachment. In many circumstances, the child will be accommodated promptly under Section 20 (1989 Act) because of a parent(s)/guardian's circumstances and wishes (see Decision to Look After Procedure).

The parent should sign their consent to the placement for adoption - having been provided with all relevant information in respect of adoption, contact and support for them and their family (see Section 4.3, Counselling About Adoption).

When the matter has been presented to Adoption Panel and agreed by the Agency Decision Maker and Cafcass have completed their role, an adoptive placement should be sought, if the child is not already in a concurrent or Foster for Adopt placement (see Section 7, Adoption Panel).

6.1.1 Accommodation of the Child

Following Accommodation of the child, the practitioner should progress the matter as below:

• Ensure a case record for the child is opened on CareFirst and the system is provided with all relevant information, particularly the child's status, (this to be updated throughout);
• Ensure the first review is completed within 20 working days, completing all necessary documentation;
• Complete a Care Plan for the child;
• Commence the child's Permanence Report (for Adoption Panel);
• Progress a referral to the (Adoption Panel) Medical Advisor for a health assessment including CoramBAAF medical assessment forms M and B together with CoramBAAF PH form, (completed by parent(s));
• Ensure a birth certificate is obtained: this can be undertaken by the parent;
• Visit the child's placement in accordance with the regulations and other requirements, (see Social Work Visits to Looked After Children Procedure);
• Continue to keep in contact with the parent(s) and continue with counselling about adoption as wanted/needed by them;
• Arrange and support contact arrangements with the child as required;
• Ensure that the child's Life Story Book is commenced and progressed and that the foster carer is involved in this on as continuous basis;
• At 6 weeks, obtain parent(s) consent to place the child for adoption and advance placement to adopt;
• Discuss with the parent(s) their level of engagement within the process and at what point they may wish to disengage from the adoption process.

In many instances the parent(s) will be completely disengaged at an early stage and there might therefore be an issue of continuing engagement to undertake necessary tasks, e.g. obtaining a birth certificate, completing consent forms, etc.

See ADCS, Good Practice Guidance for Adoption Agencies and Cafcass: Children Relinquished for Adoption - Annex 5 'Statement That I Do Not Wish to be Notified of the Application for an Adoption Order for my Child - Section 20(4) Adoption and Children Act 2002' Proforma.

6.1.2 Preparing the Child

Work with the child, in an age-appropriate way, should be undertaken to help prepare them for the planning and changes that will progress them to their permanent placement. The nature and style of this work will vary greatly on the child and their age, understanding and capacity and is likely to be a mixture of play, counselling and 'discussion'. This could include a final 'goodbye' contact with their parent(s)/guardian and family.

6.1.3 Adoption Case File

Once the Local Authority has made a decision that the plan for the child should be one of adoption, in addition to the Looked After Child record, an Adoption Case File should be established.

See Adoption Case Records Procedure, Contents.

6.2 Pre-Birth Child

Many children who are relinquished will come as a pre-birth request from the mother. Counselling processes / information gathering processes with the mother and, (where appropriate and known), putative father need to be undertaken and progressed.

Additionally, a Foster For Adopt placement can be sought, (if assessed as appropriate), or initial request for a placement, together with planning a schedule for Adoption Panel.

Note however that formal consent by the mother for an adoption placement and advance consent to adopt cannot be given until the child is 6 weeks old.

6.2.1 Child's Birth and Discharge from the Maternity Unit

At the point of the child's birth, the mother can decide to care for the child or request separation. However, greater involvement at this stage by the mother is likely to make it more difficult to separate.

The practitioner should seek to meet with the mother as soon as reasonably possible, checking with maternity staff that this is appropriate. The focus should be on the mother's welfare; reflecting on the plan for relinquishing the new-born child and exploring how the mother / father (if appropriate) want to deal with this stage of the process. It should also include advice / information, perhaps particularly around separation and naming the child.

This stage of the process is one of particular sensitivity and should be lead by the mother. The parent(s) can provide as much or as little for the child as they feel they want to at this very initial stage and should be encouraged / supported - but not pressured - to have contact with the child. This contact could be at the foster carer's home - given that, unless there are health issues for the child requiring the child to remain in the maternity unit, discharge is likely to be after 24 hours and should be to the identified foster carer.

It should also be considered that this is the point at which the child's Life Story Book starts, and provides an opportunity to collate detail and (with permission) photos for the child's Life Story Book.

At the time of birth, the practitioner should:

• Provide the maternity unit with the foster carer's details and the foster carer's GP details;
• Ensure the CoramBAAF medical Forms M and B for completion by the paediatrician;
• Mother's Consent Form (CoramBAAF PH) consenting to the completion of the above M and B Forms.

Note: these forms should be completed before the child's discharge, so as to avoid unnecessary delay later.

6.2.2 Accommodation of the child

Following discharge from hospital, the practitioner should progress the matter as with any other child who becomes looked after, (see Section 6.1.1, Accommodation of the child).

Additional counselling for the parent or guardian should be provided where the local authority is seeking to obtain their signed agreement to the placement for adoption of the child aged under 6 weeks. The local authority should make it clear orally and in writing:

• That the parent or guardian retains full Parental Responsibility until:
  • They give their consent after the child reaches the age of 6 weeks;
  • A Placement Order is made; or
  • An Adoption Order is made.
• The parent or guardian may only have contact with the child by agreement with the agency or by order of the court;
• Their rights in the event that the parent or guardian asks for the child to be returned (see Section 7, Parent(s) Withdraw Their Consent or Change Their Plan for the Child);
• That after the child is 6 weeks old, the local authority will seek to arrange for them to give their formal consent to the child being placed for adoption.

Subject to the agreement being signed, the local authority may now place the child. It should seek to maintain contact for the child with the parents and ascertain when the child reaches the age of 6 weeks, whether they are prepared to consent to:

• A placement of the child for adoption under Section 19 (2002 Act) with a prospective adopter identified in the Consent, or with any prospective adopter who may be chosen by the local authority; or
• A placement of the child for an adoption can proceed. If they are not, and they request that the child be returned to them, the local authority must comply with that request unless there are grounds for seeking a Placement Order, or instituting other proceedings.

6.2.3 Adoption Case Record

See Section 6.1.3, Adoption Case Record.

7. Parent(s) Withdraw Their Consent or Change Their Plan for the Child

7.1 Change of Plan

Where the child is Accommodated under Section 20 (Children Act 1989) and is less than 6 weeks old and the parent changes their mind, the request must be immediately acted upon.

An evaluation of the circumstances should be undertaken and include any factors that may require a formal child protection risk assessment (see Threshold Document - Continuum of Help and Support).

Following such an assessment, and if the Local Authority identify the child's welfare and best interests would not be met by a return to the parent / guardian's care legal advice should be sought to consider whether the Local Authority meet the criteria to apply for: an Emergency Protection Order or Care Order; a Placement Order or Adoption Order.

If the child has been Accommodated for more than 20 days then the decision should be undertaken by the Nominated Manager for 'Ceasing Look After a Child'; if the length of time is fewer than 20 days, then this decision can be undertaken by a Team Manager.

In all circumstances, any child returning home should be made on the basis that they are safeguarded and their welfare and best interests will be promoted. This should take into account the support that can be provided by Children's Services and its partner agencies.

See Children Accommodated under Section 20 and Relinquished Children in the Ceasing to Look After a Child Procedure.

Note: Where the parent / guardian withdraws their consent to adoption it should not be assumed that the threshold criteria under section 31(2) will be satisfied and each case needs to be considered on its own facts. (See Re A O (care proceedings) 2016 EWFC 36).

7.2 Withdrawal of Consent

The parent(s) can withdraw their consent to the child's placement for adoption at any stage prior to the prospective adopters issuing an adoption application in relation to the child, either by using the 'Withdrawal of Consent Sections 19 and 20 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002' form or by written notice given to the Adoption Agency.

On receiving the Notice of Withdrawal, the Local Authority (as the agency) will lose the authority to place and there should be an immediate review of the child's plan for adoption. Following legal advice, the Local Authority may decide to apply for a Placement Order.

Where the child is not yet placed with prospective adopters - and the parent or guardian informs the Local Authority that they wish the child to be returned to their care, the child should be returned to the parent(s) / guardian within 7 days, unless the Local Authority has either made an application for a Placement Order or a decision is made to apply for a Placement Order. Where the child is placed for adoption - and the parent or guardian requests the return of the child, the child should be returned to the agency within 14 days, beginning with the day on which the notice was given, unless the Authority has either made an application for a Placement Order or a decision is made to apply for a Placement Order. As soon as the child is returned to the Local Authority / Adoption Agency, the child must return to the parent / guardian.

8. Adoption Panel

Once consent has been signed the practitioner should proceed to the Adoption Panel (see Adoption Panel Procedure) after completing the child's Permanency Report and providing the range of required documents, notably the Child Permanency Report (CPR).

9. CAFCASS - Including Relevant Forms

Once the Adoption Panel and Agency Decision Maker have confirmed the plan for the child to be adoption, notification must be urgently sent to Cafcass.

Note that it is usual practice for the Local Authority to refer to Cafcass after the Panel and Agency decision to place for adoption. However, the law allows a parent to give consent for adoption ahead of these processes - although the child must be 6 weeks of age. (This might be the case if a parent is anxious to give consent at the point of the child being 6 weeks of age, or the Local Authority are satisfied that every effort has been made with respect to the counselling of the parent who wishes to give consent, and to delay for an Adoption Panel meeting might then lead to difficulties and, as a result, undue delay for the child's plan).

The principal role of Cafcass is to ensure that consent to place for adoption (Section 19) and advance consent for an Adoption Order (Section 20) has been made unconditionally and with a full understanding of all that this means in terms of those sections, of adoption and all its implications.

In doing so, it is helpful for the Schedule 2 (Adoption Agency Regulations) report to be sent with the formal request to Cafcass.

It is not however, the role of Cafcass to challenge birth parents about their decision to relinquish the child, (as long as they are competent) or the Local Authority / Adoption Agency 's decisions in respect of birth fathers without Parental Responsibility, involvement of extended family etc.

9.1 Notification to Cafcass

The following needs to be sent to Cafcass:

• Notification of child to be relinquished for adoption;
• Schedule 2 Proforma.

9.2 Consent Forms to be completed and signed by the parent(s)/guardian:

The following consent forms need to be completed by the parent(s) following the counselling and witnessed by a Cafcass Officer:

A100: Consent form to placement for adoption with any prospective adopters chosen by the Adoption Agency - under Section 19 (Adoption and Children 2002 Act)

A101: Consent form to the placement of adoption with identified prospective adopter(s) - under Section 19 (Adoption and Children 2002 Act)

A102: Consent form to the placement of adoption with identified prospective carers and, if the placement breaks down, with any prospective adopters chosen by the Adoption Agency - under Section 19 (Adoption and Children 2002 Act)

A103: Advance consent to adoption - Section 20 (Adoption and Children Act 2002)

A104: Consent to Adoption (Adoption and Children Act 2002)

A106: Withdrawal of Consent to Sections 19 and 20 (Adoption and Children Act 2002)

9.3 Cafcass Outcome/Response

• Consent to place for adoption (Section 19): consent has been unconditionally and properly given with full knowledge and comprehension of adoption and the process;
• Consent to place for adoption (Section 19) and Advance consent to the making of an adoption order (Section 20): consent has been unconditionally and properly given to both placement and Adoption Order with full knowledge and comprehension of adoption and the process.
  
  The Local Authority should receive the following letter from the Cafcass Officer: Relinquished child: Countersigning Consent Forms (Letter 3).

Note:

• Where advance consent to the making of an Adoption Order (Section 20) this letter is amended to reflect this);
• Where the parent(s) / guardian has identified and given notice that they do not wish to be notified when an application for an Adoption Order is made, Section 20(4) Adoption and Children Act) the letter should also acknowledge this and attach a 'Statement' to this effect.

(See Annex 5: Statement That I Do Not Wish to be Notified of the Application for an Adoption Order for my child).