lement Regulations 2005 continue to apply. This guidance explains the content of regulations made under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, and the duties and responsibilities that they place on adoption agencies. This guidance is issued under Section 7 of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 which requires local authorities in exercising their social services functions, to act under the general guidance of the Secretary of State. This guidance must be complied with by local authorities when exercising these functions, unless there are exceptional reasons which justify a departure. The guidance applies to England only and should be read by everyone involved in the adoption of children - especially children’s social workers - and those who work with adopted adults and birth families. Expiry or review date This guidance will next be reviewed in 2014. What legislation does this guidance refer to?  The Adoption and Children Act 2002 and associated regulations.  The Children and Adoption Act 2006 and associated regulations.  The Local Authority Social Services Act 1970. Changes to the previous version of the adoption guidance Since the guidance supporting the 2002 Act was published in 2005 and subsequent revisions, there have been substantial legislative changes around the adopter approval 4 process; the assessment of adopters as foster carers; and the adoption register. This guidance benefits from the knowledge and expertise of a wide range of people representing local authorities, voluntary adoptions agencies, adoption support agencies and others. We are very grateful for the time and energy they have given to making the guidance as accurate and helpful as possible to practitioners who will use it on a regular basis. The main changes are:  A new chapter 3 outli