rker to deal with the case. The social worker who prepares the report to court must meet the conditions of the ARR (see chapter 1). 8.47. Where prospective adopters are resident abroad, but still entitled to apply for an adoption order, regulation 3 of the Local Authority (Adoption) (Miscellaneous Provisions) Regulations 2005 sets out how the appropriate local authority is to be identified. In principle this is the local authority where they last had their home, but where each partner of a couple lived in different local authority areas in England, and they have never had a home together in England, they may choose which of the two relevant authorities they wish to give notice. These cases will require careful planning, since the requirement under section 42(7) of the Act for the court to be satisfied that the writer of the report has had sufficient opportunity to see the applicants and the child together in their home will still apply. It may be possible to arrange to visit the proposed adopters and the child during periods when they are in England on holiday, for example, but reports will need also to cover their home situation in the place where they currently reside. In the case of Re A (A child) [2009] EWCA Civ 41 the court said that “home” does not have to be a home in the UK. 8.48. The local authority has an opportunity to discuss with the proposed adopters their hopes and expectations of adoption and to offer them advice and information. This should include ensuring that they fully understand the implications of adoption and are aware of possible alternative courses of action. For step-parents, for example, a parental responsibility agreement may be more appropriate, and for foster carers or relatives, special guardianship may be suitable. It will be important t