Commentary on Sections Section 170 – Adoption service: joint arrangements
430.Section 170 provides for joint working arrangements to be made in relation to adoption services. An adoption service is defined in section 2(1) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 by references to the services maintained by a local authority under section 3(1) of that Act. Section 170 inserts a new section 3A in to the Adoption and Children Act 2002. The effect is to allow the Welsh Ministers to direct two or more local authorities to work together to provide specified aspects of their adoption service. Such joint arrangements may direct the establishment of a pooled fund, specify staffing and accommodation arrangements, direct the establishment of an adoption panel and the processes to follow for resolving disputes and complaints.