assessment, the social worker should analyse and consider the information they ascertain about the prospective adopter, including any issues identified during the adoption preparation. The approach should be objective and inquiring, with information evaluated and its accuracy and consistency checked. 3.52. AAR 30(1) and Parts 1 and 3 of Schedule 4 list the information that the agency must obtain for inclusion in the prospective adopter’s report. The report itself is one of those to which the Restrictions on the Preparation of Adoption Reports Regulations 2005 (ARR) apply. See Chapter 1. AAR 30(2) lists the information that must be included in the report. 3.53. Stage Two ends with the agency decision-maker’s decision about the suitability of the prospective adopter to adopt a child. If a prospective adopter is considered unsuitable to adopt during Stage Two, the prospective adopter will be able to make representations to the agency or request a review by the Independent Review Mechanism. The prospective adopter will also be able to raise general concerns about the process with the National Gateway for Adoption. 71 3.54. Where the agency considers that more time is needed or a prospective adopter wants more than four months to complete Stage Two (e.g. because the prospective adopter is struggling with the process or there has been a significant event in their life a such as a family bereavement), the agency may delay making their decision on the suitability of the prospective adopter. If the decision is delayed the agency must detail the reasons for the extended timescale on the prospective adopter’s case record, along with supporting evidence. Again, this information is important given that performance on the timeliness of the approval process will be measured. Fostering