nce from the agency. This independence means that they cannot themselves make decisions but make recommendations to the agency’s decision- maker in respect of cases referred to it. Panels play an important quality assurance role, providing objectivity and having the ability to challenge practice which is felt not to be in the interests of children or fall short of the Regulations or NMS. Panels are required to give regular feedback to the agency (see standard 17.2 of the NMS). 1.20. The panel can give advice to the agency (but it is not required to do so) on:  contact arrangements;  whether an application for a placement order should be made; 19  the number of children the prospective adopter may be suitable to adopt, their age range, sex, likely needs and background; and  the provision of adoption support. 1.21. Since1 September 2012 the function of adoption panels to consider and make a recommendation on whether a child should be placed for adoption has been limited to those cases where, if the agency’s decision-maker decides that the child should be placed for adoption, the courts will not be involved in scrutinising the agency’s adoption plan. The cases which, since 1 September 2012, are not referred to the adoption panel are those where an application for a placement order would need to made if the decision-maker decided that the child should be placed for adoption. The table in chapter 2 paragraph 64 sets out those cases that must be referred to the adoption panel for consideration and those which must be referred directly to the agency’s decision-maker for a decision. Adoption and Permanence panels 1.22. Regulations for adoption and fostering make no particular provision for ‘adoption and permanence’ panels. The following is intended to assist where the agenc