y. This enables the local authority to delegate or contract out provision of these services to a third party who will provide services on its behalf. The Act provides that voluntary adoption agencies (VAAs) who are registered to do so can provide adoption support services on a local authority’s behalf. ASR 5 extends this provision to registered Adoption Support Agencies, other local authorities, (which includes the local authority’s education department), and Clinical Commissioning Groups- or local health boards in Wales. This enables the local authority to contract with a neighbouring authority and/or with an independent registered provider to ensure that the service is provided. This may be appropriate where there is a low demand for a particular adoption support service or to avoid duplication where an existing service provided by one of the prescribed bodies can be developed and maintained as appropriate. It will also be helpful in cases where the person needing the support lives in the area of another local authority than the one obliged to ensure the provision of the service. 166 People to whom adoption support services must be extended: ASR 4 Person being assessed Services for which they are entitled to be assessed Services to enable discussion of matters relating to adoption Assistance in relation to arrangements for contact Therapeutic services Services to ensure the continuation of adoptive relationship Services to assist in cases of disruption Counselling, advice and information Financial support Agency adoptive child • • • • • • Adoptive parent of an agency adoptive child • • • • • • Child of adoptive parent • • • Birth parents or guardians of an agency adoptive child • • • A relative (or someone with whom the local authority consider the child to have a ben