Is a child still looked after in the care system once they are placed for adoption? And who has parental responsibility for them?

A child is still looked after in the care system when they are placed for adoption. This means that:

• Regular looked after child review meetings will still be held.
• An independent reviewing officer (IRO) should continue to be responsible for making sure the child’s placement meets their needs
• A parent can still raise questions and any concerns with the IRO about their child’s placement and elements of the care plan.

When a child is placed for adoption with prospective adopters, they obtain parental responsibility for the child once the child lives with them. Parental responsibility is all the rights and responsibilities that come with being a parent.

Open or download this table which explains all of those who have parental responsibility for the child once they have been placed for adoption, and where exercise of parental responsibility may be limited.