iew 1.61. There is no cost to prospective adopters applying to the IRM but the agency will pay a contribution towards the cost of the review. The contribution is not subject to VAT and will be reviewed annually. The agency will receive an invoice from the British Association for Adoption and Fostering, the organisation operating the IRM on behalf of the Secretary of State for Education. Function of the review panel 1.62. The IRM is not an appeal process and the review panel is not a higher appellate authority. The function of the review panel is to consider a case anew and to give the agency a fresh recommendation. Suitability to adopt a child 1.63. When reviewing a qualifying determination on the suitability of a prospective adopter, the review panel will consider and take into account:  the agency’s determination, its reasons and, if different to the agency’s determination, the adoption panel’s recommendation;  information that was before the adoption panel and any relevant information that arrived after that hearing;  the prospective adopter’s grounds for review and any extra information submitted by the prospective adopter. There may be occasions when the review panel needs more information or assistance. 1.64. The review panel has wide powers and may ask the agency to provide, without charge, specific information or to provide assistance to the review panel. For example, the review panel may need a specialist medical report. In such cases, the review panel administrator will pass the request to the agency’s liaison officer who is to arrange for the agency’s medical adviser to liaise with the review panel’s medical practitioner. Where legal advice is required, the review panel will not approach the agency but will seek its own legal advice. 30 1.65. The review pa