Commentary on Sections Part 1 - Adoption Removal provisions Section 30: Recovery by parent etc. where child placed and placement order refused
Section 30 applies where a child is placed for adoption under section 16, the adoption authority's application for a placement order has been refused and the parent wishes the child to be returned to him (subsection (1)). The prospective adopters must return the child to the adoption authority on the date set by the court (subsection (2)). Should the prospective adopters fail to do this, they commit an offence and are liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 months or a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or both (subsection (3)). The adoption authority must return the child to his or her parent or guardian within 7 days beginning with the day on which the child is returned to it (subsection (4)).