Adoption

What Is Adoption?

Adoption means finding a new and permanent home for a child who is unable to be brought up by their own birth or legal parents. Once adopted all legal and parental responsibilities pass from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. The child usually takes their family name. The process of adoption is largely irreversible.

How Does Adoption Differ From Fostering?

Foster parents share responsibility for the child with the Local Authority. It tends to be temporary although it can be a longer term arrangement while a child is growing up.

What Kind Of Children Are Adopted?

Around four thousand children are currently waiting to be adopted in the UK. Many of these are in fixed groups with their brothers and sisters. Many are of various ethnic, cultural and religious origins, some are disabled, some abused and some have extreme behavioural difficulties. Not all children seeking adoption are babies, a greater number are of school age.

Who Can Adopt Children?

Local Authorities are always looking for individuals and couples who can offer loving homes. Agencies will always try to place a child in the best possible situation for the child. This is always the highest priority.

• can adopt regardless of cultural, racial and religious background
• can adopt if over 21 years of age. There is no maximum age limit.
• can be single or a married couple At present there is no procedure in place to enable an unmarried couple to adopt a child jointly.
• can adopt regardless of sexuality
• can adopt regardless of income
• can adopt whether home owner or renting
• can adopt if have a police record. (However, this does depend on the nature of the crime. If you or a member of your household have be cautioned or convicted of a crime against a child adoption will not be possible.
• can adopt if in good state of general health. This is subject to GP examination.

How Do I Adopt A Child?

Adoption occurs via an Adoption Agency. A list of local Adoption Agencies can be obtained from your Local Authority.  The Agency will perform a series of confidential enquiries with social services and the police. You will be required to submit references from two friends and undertake a medical examination. This information will be used to compile an application. This is forwarded to an independent adoption panel. Their job is to assess the information and recommend whether or not the applicant should become an adopter. In Scotland the applicant will be able to meet this panel.) 

How Long Does The Adoption Process Take?

It is difficult to put accurate figures on how long it might take to complete a successful application for adoption as each case is judged on it’s own merits. It might take around six months to go through the initial application and up to two years before a child is placed with its new family.

 

Click on this link to read our related article about Adoption Rights

Click on this link to read our related articel about Adoption Leave When Adopting An Overseas Child