
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Time Off to Attend Adoption Appointments (Prospective Adopters) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 and come into operation on 5th April 2015.
2 
The condition specified for the purposes of Article 85ZS(2)(b) of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 is that the authority is considering whether the person would be a suitable adoptive parent for the child.
3 
Where Article 85ZS(3) of the Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 applies, Articles 85ZJ, 85ZL, 85ZN and 85ZP of that Order have effect as if—
(a) references to adoption or placement for adoption were references to the placement of the child with a person who is an approved foster parent and an approved prospective adopter where the authority—
(i) is considering adoption for the child; or
(ii) is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child,
and is considering whether that person would be a suitable adoptive parent for that child;
(b) references to placing for adoption were references to placing with a person who is an approved foster parent and an approved prospective adopter where the authority—
(i) is considering adoption for the child; or
(ii) is satisfied that adoption is in the best interests of the child,
and is considering whether that person would be a suitable adoptive parent for that child;
(c) references to an adoption agency were references to an authority.
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department for Employment and Learning on 3rd April 2015.
Heather Cousins
A senior officer of the Department for Employment and Learning
