If you want to adopt a child in the UK, the first thing you must do is contact your local adoption agency who will then:
- Send you written information about the adoption process (how long each step takes and the agency’s expectation of adopters)
- Invite you to a group information meeting where you can hear about adoption and talk to adopters about their experience.
- Give you counselling to help you understand the needs of the children who may have experienced neglect/ abuse in their early childhood.
- The agency will help you decide if adoption is right for your family and if you and the agency decide to proceed they will issue you with an application form.
Once your written application is accepted by the adoption agency they will then:
§ Invite you to preparation classes. (These are normally held locally and offer advice and information on issues such as the skills required for adoption, the needs of an adopted child and the effect adoption can have on the people involved.)
§ Carry out police checks to make sure that you or an adult member of your family has not committed an offence that would make you ineligible to adopt.
§ Interview referees who know you and your family.
§ Organise for you to have a full medical examination
§ Arrange for a social worker to visit you and carry out a detailed assessment of your suitability to become an adoptive parent.
The assessment is a lengthy process which is demanding, in-depth and can feel intrusive. This is because the process is to ensure that the best interests of the child are being met. The time it takes to adopt will vary. It generally takes just over eight months for the adoption agency to complete its assessment of your suitability to adopt. It could then possibly take only a matter of weeks for the agency to match you with a child.
Once the child goes to live with you, it is for you to decide when to apply to the court for the adoption order, although they must have lived with you for at least 10 weeks. An adoption order means that parental rights and responsibilities for the child are given to the adoptive parents.