Adoption and Fostering Panel

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Board members - (Three members to form a panel always making sure that the panel includes a man and a woman)
Councillor Bill Perrie	Councillor Mary Fee	Provost Celia Lawson
Councillor Eileen McCartin	Councillor John Hood	Councillor David Clews
Councillor Sam Mullin

The following shall comprise the areas of responsibility of the Adoption and Fostering Panel:-

1. To consider and recommend to the director of social work whether adoption is in the best interests of a particular child and, if so, whether an application should be made under section 18 of the Adoption (Scotland) Act 1978, to free the child for adoption.

2. To consider and recommend to the director of social work whether a prospective adopter is suitable to be an adoptive parent.

3. To consider and recommend to the director of social work whether a prospective adopter would be a suitable adoptive parent for a particular child. The panel in making its recommendations to the director of social work must be aware of the local authority's duties to promote the welfare of the child and to have regard to the religious upbringing of the child.

4. To monitor the reasons for applicants withdrawing following a formal application having been made.

5. To review on an annual basis or as required approved applicants who have not been matched with a suitable child.

6. To consider reports on the disruption of any placement recommended by the panel or involving applicants approved by the panel.

7. To consider and make recommendations to the director of social work on matters relating to financial assistance for adopters in terms of any scheme of approved adoption allowances which the Council has, or in relation to the payment of legal expenses incurred by the adopters in obtaining an adoption order.

8. To consider and make recommendations to the director of social work on matters in relation to the approval of foster parents and the placement of children with foster carers.

9. To provide advice to the director of social work in respect of applications to the Sheriff for parental responsibilities orders in terms of section 86 of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995.