Initial discussion
You will be invited to an Information meeting which will provide
you with details of the adoption process and children needing an
adoptive family. After the presentation you will have the
opportunity to meet one of the adoption team members to discuss
more personal details and issues that may concern you.
Step 1
If it seems you could meet the needs of the children waiting for
adoption at this time, we will invite you to request an Initial
Visit by one of our social workers. They will have an in
depth initial discussion with you about adoption, answer any
questions that you might have and together decide whether it is
appropriate to take your enquiry further at this time. If the
decision is to progress your enquiry, you will be invited to
commence the assessment stage. This will include attending
our Prepare to Adopt course held during the first eight weeks of
your assessment. This will provide an opportunity to learn
more about what's involved in adoption. You'll be able to
meet other people who are going through the same process as
you.
Prior to the commencement of your assessment and preparation
course, you will be asked to complete and return a detailed
application form about yourself and all other members of your
household. This form gives us permission to carry out Criminal
Record Bureau, NSPCC and other checks which will be sought
immediately. We will carry out these checks to make sure that
you've not committed any serious offences that could automatically
disqualify you from adopting. We'll ask for proof of your identity
(like a passport, birth or marriage certificate) and ask you to
have a health check with your GP, to show that you don't have any
major health problems.
You will be allocated an adoption social worker who will arrange
regular appointments to meet with you and explain about the skills
and qualities that adopters require. During these sessions you and
the social worker will discuss a range of subjects related to the
requirements of the children who need an adoptive family. You will
discuss the number, ages and characteristics of the child or
children you would be most appropriate to parent. You will have the
opportunity to demonstrate your skills through practical examples
of activities you're already involved in, or through detailed
conversations.
You will also be asked in depth questions about your background,
relationships and support networks. The adoption team will take up
your personal and employer references. All the information is
compiled by the social worker who then writes a report outlining
your skills, abilities and the qualities you have to offer as an
adopter. You will see the social worker's report and be invited to
give your own comments in writing.
Step 2
The report that the social worker will have completed will be
presented to our Adoption Panel. Applicants will be invited and
expected to meet with the panel along with their social worker. An
independent person chairs each Panel. The Panel comprises of
professionals from Children Services, a Medical Adviser, together
with a councillor and at least three independent
representatives who will have experience of adoption. The Panel
discusses the report and makes recommendations to the Agency
Decision-Maker as to whether a prospective applicant is suitable to
adopt.
Completion of the journey
The applicant is notified of the decision within 2 working days.
You will be informed of the decision by phone and a letter will be
sent within 5 working days.
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Assessment road map.
(54KB, 1 pages)