"We’ve always been well supported by the Adoption & Fostering Unit."
Adoption support and guidance
Throughout the process of adoption, we will provide support and guidance. We will help you to understand the issues and anxieties that the adoption process can involve. Once you have successfully adopted a child, we are available through our Adoption Support Services to support and guide you if you encounter any problems.
Financial Support:
We recognise that an addition to your family can be costly. To help, we can offer a placement grant which can assist you in purchasing equipment and adjusting to a reduction in income and increase in expenditure. Some children, because of their particular needs and circumstances, may qualify for a regular payment of Financial Support. Eligibility for these payments is based on the child’s needs and the adopter’s income and is reviewed annually.
All adopters are entitled to claim Child Benefit and Tax Credits.
Legal and Adoption fees:
There is no charge for the services we provide. However, at the very end of the process, when you apply to adopt legally, there is a court administration fee to pay. The fee in all courts is £140 (March 2007). As part of the legal process of adopting, you may need the advice and support of a solicitor. In certain circumstances we can offer help with costs.
Adoption Support:
At the time you are matched with a child or children, your social worker and the child or children’s social worker will draw up a plan to make clear what type of help will be available to meet the needs of the child or children you are adopting.
We recognise that there may be times during your adopted child’s childhood when you as a family, or the child, may need support. You may, for example, wish to seek advice about how to help your child understand about their background or how to cope with some particularly difficult behaviour. You are legally entitled to ask the adoption agency for an assessment of your support needs. This may mean that we are able to offer a range of support services, run by ourselves or a partner agency, such as support groups, training events, or advice/assistance in accessing specialist educational or health services.
Bradford encourages prospective adopters to join Adoption UK. This is a national organisation run by adopters for adopters, which has a range of helpful information for adopters at all stages. For more information, you can visit their website at www.adoptionuk.org.
