Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) Amendment Regulations 2026

UK New Legislation

Published April 1st, 2026

Detected March 4th, 2026

Summary

The Welsh Ministers have issued the Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, effective April 1, 2026. These regulations amend existing rules to correct two cross-references within the definition of 'adoption panel' and a reference to the determination process.

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What changed

The Welsh Ministers have issued the Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026, which come into force on April 1, 2026. These regulations amend the Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) Regulations 2026 by correcting two specific cross-references within the existing text. Specifically, regulation 2(2) amends the definition of 'adoption panel' by changing a reference from 'regulation 3' to 'regulation 4', and regulation 2(3) corrects a cross-reference in regulation 3(a)(ii) from 'regulation 30D(2)' to 'regulation 30D(6)', both relating to the Adoption Agencies (Wales) Regulations 2005.

These amendments are minor corrections to ensure accurate cross-referencing within the regulatory framework governing adoption and fostering reviews in Wales. No new obligations or substantive policy changes are introduced. Regulated entities, primarily government agencies involved in adoption and fostering processes, should ensure their internal documentation and understanding reflect these corrected cross-references to maintain compliance with the amended regulations. No specific compliance deadline is imposed beyond the effective date of the regulations.

What to do next

Update internal documentation to reflect corrected cross-references in the Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) Regulations 2026.

Source document (simplified)

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally made). This item of legislation is currently only available in its original format.

Welsh Statutory Instruments

2026 No. 59

SOCIAL CARE, WALES

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS, WALES

The Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Made

3 March 2026

Coming into force

1 April 2026

The Welsh Ministers make the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 9(1)(a) and 12(1) of the Adoption and Children Act 2002(1).

Title and coming into force

The title of these Regulations is the Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 and they come into force on 1 April 2026.

Amendment to the Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) Regulations 2026

—(1) The Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) Regulations 2026(2) are amended as follows.

(2) In regulation 2 (interpretation), in the definition of “adoption panel”, for “regulation 3” substitute “regulation 4”.

(3) In regulation 3(a)(ii), for “regulation 30D(2)” substitute “regulation 30D(6)”.

Dawn Bowden

Minister for Children and Social Care, under the authority of the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, one of the Welsh Ministers

3 March 2026

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Independent Review of Determinations (Adoption and Fostering) (Wales) Regulations 2026 (“ the 2026 Regulations ”) to correct two cross-references to the Adoption Agencies (Wales) Regulations 2005 (“ the Agencies Regulations ”).

Regulation 2(2) corrects the cross-reference within the definition of “adoption panel” in regulation 2 of the 2026 Regulations to refer to the relevant provision in the Agencies Regulations. Regulation 2(3) corrects a cross-reference to the Agencies Regulations in regulation 3(a)(ii) of the 2026 Regulations, so that the reference is a reference to the provision under which the determination at the conclusion of the review is made.

The Welsh Ministers’ Code of Practice on the carrying out of Regulatory Impact Assessments was considered in relation to these Regulations. As a result, it was not considered necessary to carry out a regulatory impact assessment as to the likely costs and benefits of complying with these Regulations.

(1) 2002 c. 38. Section 12 was amended by section 57 of the Children Act 2004 (c. 31) and by section 34 of the Children and Young Persons Act 2008 (c. 23).

(2) W.S.I. 2026/31.