rtner of the child’s parent. However, an adoption application may be made by the partner of the child’s parent, whether or not they are married or in a civil partnership. It may cause confusion to refer to these types of application as ‘step-parent’ applications (see section 51(2) of the Act). A person is the partner of the child’s parent if they and the child’s parent are a couple but the partner is not the child’s parent. Couple is defined in section 144(4) of the Act as:  a married couple;  two people in a civil partnership; or  two people whether of different sexes or the same sex, are living as partners in `an enduring family relationship` (except where they are closely related, i.e. parents, grandparents, siblings, or uncle/aunt and nephew/niece). 8.57. Because the Adoption Act 1976 did not permit adoption by unmarried couples (same sex and opposite sex), there will be some instances where an adoption order was made, probably following an agency placement, in favour of one partner in such a relationship, even though the placement was made with the couple and they were both assessed. Even some years after implementation of the Act on 30 December 2005, there may be cases where the couple are only now taking steps to make the application that will accord both partners equal legal status. The agency that made the placement should offer advice and assistance to enable the application to proceed. One area of difficulty may be explaining the position to the child, who will probably already regard both partners as their parents. 8.58. An adoption application may be made by the partner of the child’s parent alone without the child’s own birth parent of whom they are the partner losing their parental status or parental responsibility, although the non-resident parent wil