50.This section inserts two new subsections (6A) and (6B) to section 3 of the 1976 Act (approval of adoption societies).   New subsection (6A) provides that a voluntary adoption society may be approved to act as an adoption agency in relation either to adoptions which are not intercountry adoptions, or all adoptions including intercountry adoptions.
51.The effect will be that the majority of voluntary adoption agencies will be approved under subsection (6A)(a) and those which undertake intercountry adoptions will be approved under (6A)(b).   An adoption agency wishing to specialise in intercountry adoptions must therefore also satisfy the general requirements for an adoption agency.   With minor exceptions, voluntary adoptions societies so approved to work in intercountry adoption will be able to operate independently of local authorities.
52.The effect of this and the preceding amendment is to ensure that both local authorities and approved adoption agencies may provide prospective adopters with intercountry adoption services.   In Scotland, amendments previously made by the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 mean that adoption agencies may already be approved for specific purposes.
Commentary on Sections Intercountry adoptions – sections 9 to 13 Section 10.   Approval of adoption agencies to provide intercountry adoption services