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The adoption process and where to get support

If you are thinking about adopting a child, the first thing you should to do is contact your local adoption agency. This can be your local Health and Social Care Trust or a voluntary agency. Your adoption agency will ask you to a meeting where you can learn more about what is involved and the types of children who need to be adopted.

Application and preparation

If you wish to go ahead, the agency will do some checks - including your health and any criminal record you may have. A health condition or criminal record may not necessarily exclude you from the process. Adoption agencies are mainly interested in your suitability to care for a child and meet their needs into adulthood.

If the checks are satisfactory, you will be invited to attend a preparation course where you will learn more about caring for an adopted child.

Assessment

If the agency accepts your application, an assessment process will begin.

The social worker will make some visits to your home and will:

  • ask you questions about your own family background, your childhood, your present circumstances and your attitude to parenting
  • speak with other members of your family
  • interview two personal referees named by you

The assessment is demanding, it can feel intrusive and will take several months. Everything is explored in depth with you.

Adoption is for life and the agency must be sure you are right for the role. Just as importantly, you must be certain you can make a success of it.

Once you have seen and agreed the content of the home study report, it will be considered by an adoption panel and then by the agency's decision maker, who is a senior manager in the adoption agency.

What is an adoption panel?

An adoption panel is a group of people who have to consider whether:

  • adoption would be in the best interests of a child
  • the person who wants to adopt should be approved
  • particular people are suitable for a particular child or children

The panel's recommendation is passed to the agency's decision maker for a final decision to be made.

How long does it take?

The length of the process varies depending on each case. Your adoption agency will be able to explain more about timescales for each part of the process. It can take quite a long time as adoption is a big step and it is essential for everyone that it is the right decision.

Support for adoptive families

Bringing up any child is a rewarding and sometimes challenging experience. This is especially so when bringing up a child not born to you.

Your adoption agency will help you prepare with information on the needs of adopted children, talking about adoption and contact with birth families.

Agencies also recognise that adoption is for life and provide advice and support as the child grows older.

In addition to your adoption agency, these organisations provide support:

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Useful contacts