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National minimum standards - voluntary adoption agencies and local authority adoption agencies: Response issued 5 March 2003

All local councils have a statutory responsibility to provide an adoption service. In addition to the local council, there are a number of voluntary adoption agencies who also provide an adoption service.

From 30 April 2003 the National Care Standards Commission assumed responsibility for the inspection of local authority adoption services and the inspection and registration of voluntary adoption agencies in England. In Wales this function is the responsibility of the National Assembly for Wales. Any organisation which operates as an adoption agency but is not registered with either the National Care Standards Commission or the National Assembly for Wales commits an offence under section 11 of the Adoption Act 1976.

The following national minimum standards cover both voluntary adoption agencies and local authority adoption services in England and Wales.

The following national minimum standards cover both voluntary adoption agencies and local authority adoption services in England and Wales

• Download National Minimum Standards (PDF, 885K)
• Consultation documents