Section 24: Revoking placement orders

Adoption and Children Act 2002 · 2002 c. 38View on legislation.gov.uk

Part 1: Adoption — Chapter 3: Placement for adoption and adoption orders

The court may revoke a placement order on the application of any person.

But an application may not be made by a person other than the child or the local authority authorised by the order to place the child for adoption unless—

the court has given leave to apply, and
the child is not placed for adoption by the authority.

The court cannot give leave under subsection (2)(a) unless satisfied that there has been a change in circumstances since the order was made.

If the court determines, on an application for an adoption order, not to make the order, it may revoke any placement order in respect of the child.

Where—

an application for the revocation of a placement order has been made and has not been disposed of, and
the child is not placed for adoption by the authority,

the child may not without the court’s leave be placed for adoption under the order.

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Reuse reviewed 21 August 2026 under Open Government Licence v3.0.