Commentary on Sections Part 1 – Adoption Chapter 3  - Placement for Adoption and Adoption Orders Section 37: Applicants for adoption
121.Where an application for adoption has been made the child may only be removed with the leave of the court, or by a local authority or other person in exercise of a power conferred by any enactment (for example, for child protection purposes under the Children Act 1989).  Once an application for an adoption order has been made in respect of a child voluntarily accommodated under section 20 of the Children Act 1989 the provision in section 20(8) allowing any person who has parental responsibility to remove the child at any time does not apply.