Cap. 495 Art. 22Functions of accredited agencies.

(1) An accredited agency shall be responsible to:

(a) provide a service according to the standards, criteria and procedures established by the central authority;

(b) receive and process applications from persons who would like to adopt a child;

(c) provide training to prospective adoptive parents;

(d) draw up a report, to be known as the "Home Study Report", on the situation of the prospective adoptive parent, including any recommendations on whether such prospective adoptive parent should be allowed to adopt and the reasons therefor;

(e) assess the suitability or otherwise of prospective adoptive parents;

(f) ensure that any adoption placement will be in the best interest of the person to be adopted; (g) Repealed by XXIX.2024.7.

(h) draw up reports, to be known as "Post Adoption Reports" on the situation of the adoptive parents and the adopted child in accordance with the provisions of this Act;

(i) grant the central authority access to any records and documentation dealing with the adoption procedure of any child and to any reports on an adoptive parent or a prospective adoptive parent, including the Home Study Reports and Post Adoption Reports;

(j) grant the central authority access to its financial accounts and audits;

(k) report to the central authority at the end of every calendar year on the performance of its functions;

(l) comply with any other duties and obligations as specified by the central authority or as a result of regular monitoring of the operations of the accredited agency by the central authority;

(m) act in accordance with Title III of Book First of the Civil Code, the Hague Convention and the provisions of this Act.

(2) In order to draw up the Home Study Report and the Post Adoption Reports, the social worker authorised by the accredited agency shall carry out the necessary home visits. These visits may be unannounced and the prospective adoptive parents shall not refuse entry, shall co-operate with the social worker and shall provide correct information to the best of their knowledge.

(3) The Home Study Report shall be forwarded to the Adoption Board for it to issue the final recommendation to the court. This report shall be valid for a period of two years, following which a new Home Study Report shall be required.

(4) Repealed by XXIX.2024.7. (5) Repealed by XXIX.2024.7.