y should build on these strengths when working with the prospective adopter. Stage One – Pre-Assessment Decision 3.42. Stage One should take no more than two months unless the agency is satisfied there are good reasons for it to take longer. Where it is clear that Stage One will take longer than two months, for example, because a criminal record check is delayed or the prospective adopter wants more time (they might be struggling with the process or have a significant event such as a family bereavement), an agency may delay making their pre-assessment decision. In this case agencies should 69 detail the reasons for the extended timescale on the prospective adopter’s case record, along with supporting evidence. This information is important given that performance on the timeliness of the approval process will be measured. 3.43. Where an agency decides that a prospective adopter is not suitable to adopt during or at the end of Stage One, it must inform the prospective adopter of the decision and provide them with a clear written explanation of the reasons why they will not be able to proceed to Stage Two. Prospective adopters who wish to complain about this decision may make a complaint using the agency’s local complaints procedure. They will also be able to raise general concerns about the process with the National Gateway for Adoption. The Independent Review Mechanism is not available for decisions made during Stage One. 3.44. If a prospective adopter wishes to take a break between Stage One and Stage Two, or an agency recommends such a break, this will be subject to a maximum time limit of six months. Six months should be sufficient in the vast majority of cases to enable prospective adopters to resolve, for example, a housing, employment or financial issue, or to reco