Adoption of babies – ss 19 and 20 consent and Re A, B, and C

It is a well-established legal principle that therefore all 'realistic' options need to be explored before adoption is endorsed as a child's care plan.³ That is no different when it comes to the voluntary relinquishment of a child for adoption by both parents or more likely by one parent the mother.

Advance parental consent under ss 19 and 20 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002

Section 92 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 prohibits privately arranged adoptions; so where a parent or parents seek to relinquish their child for adoption voluntarily they need to go through their local authority to act as the adoption agency and make the relevant arrangements.