How to adopt
You need to be thoroughly assessed before being approved
as an adoptive parent. During this process, you will find out about
adoption and think about the type of child you can give a home
to.
Our social worker will also get to know you and learn what you
have to offer a child. You will be required to fill in an
application form and attend preparation groups. We undertake
different checks, such as police, local authority and health
checks, and get references from people who know you well.
Adoption assessment
As part of the assessment process a social worker will visit you
in your home. The social worker will be filling in a prospective
adopter's report, and will talk about many different issues.
The social worker needs to:
- get a clear picture of your family life
- find out who the different members of your family are
- learn how you get along with each other
- find out your feelings on such matters as discipline and
protecting the child from harm
- make sure you can develop the skills to parent a child that has
suffered abuse or neglect
- understand how you can provide a safe and happy home
The social worker will also suggest reading and exercises to
help you understand adoption in more detail. They will make sure
you attend one of our preparation groups, where you will:
- hear about other adoptive families' experiences
- learn more about the needs of children who are waiting for
adoptive families
- learn about legal issues relating to adoption
- develop your parenting skills
- understand the impact of abuse on children
- understand the impact of attachment and loss on children
- receive training to help you understand and cope with managing
difficult behaviour
We aim to complete your assessment report and offer you
preparatory training within six months of receiving your completed
application form.
Report and recommendation
The social worker will prepare a written report about you, which
you will see and comment on.
This report is presented to our adoption panel, which makes a
recommendation about your suitability to adopt. We run monthly
panels to discuss applications, and your social worker will tell
you in advance when your application will be considered. We
encourage prospective adopters to attend panels.
The panel's recommendation is considered by the decision-maker
for Action for Children, who makes the final approval.
Your new family
Once you are approved as an adopter, it will take time to find
the right child or children for your family. There are many
different factors affecting this, and we cannot know how long it
may take.
After a child is placed with you, the law requires that you care
for the child for at least 10 weeks before an adoption application
can be heard in court. A variety of issues, such as the child's
age, the speed at which your relationship develops and cements, and
the legal situation, will affect the decision about when is the
right time to go to court.
Action for Children will support you through the entire process
and continue to support you once you are caring for your new
family, by:
- visiting you regularly
- advocating for you
- making sure you receive all the services you should be
receiving
- giving you advice on financial support
- providing you with continual support and further training
- making sure you can keep in touch with other adopters
- inviting you to social events for adopters
Contact us for an information pack
Fill out our simple online
form
Email: adoption@actionforchildren.org.uk
Phone: 0845 355 5533