Social Care and Health

To become an adopter, you need preparation and we need to get to know you and what you have to offer. The process has to be thorough, both for the child’s sake and for your own peace of mind.

What are the stages?

1. Information evening
2. Registration of Interest
3. Home Visit
4. Starting an Application
5. Medical
6. Preparation
7. Preparing the Prospective Adopter's Report
8. Adoption Panel
9. Approval
10. Adoption

1. Information evening
   First of all it is advised you read through the sections on the website or send for an information pack, Then you need to come to one of the information meetings held monthly. For dates contact us on 01274 434331. At the information evening you will be able to talk to a social worker and adopters about your interest in adoption and ask any questions you may have. The social worker will explain our criteria of who can adopt and our current need for families for children. You will be given a registration form if it seems that you may meet the initial requirements.
2. Registration of Interest
   You send in your completed registration form. If you need any help, please contact the Recruitment Line on 01274 434331 for advice or help filling in the form.
3. Home Visit
   When we receive your registration form, we will arrange for an adoption social worker to visit you for a fuller conversation about your interest in adoption and whether it is the right time to proceed.
   Following the home visit we will decide whether we are able to begin an application or if there are problems which prevent an application or which need more time to resolve. The decision will be based on our eligibility criteria depending on children waiting. We will write to you to explain what we think and how to make representations if you disagree with us.
4. Starting an Application
   If we decide to proceed, you will be invited to submit an application form. We will make checks with your local Social Services, Child Protection Register, Primary Care Trust (Health Authority), NSPCC, Probation and the Criminal Records Bureau to check if they have information which may be relevant to your application. We will also ask you for the names of 4 people who know you well and can give you personal references. Later in the assessment we may also want to meet other significant people in your life who can help with information about you as an individual or couple.
5. Medical
   You will have a full medical with your own doctor who will advise our own medical advisor. If you have a health problem or disability, please talk to us about its impact on you. We will advise you about the information we need to consider your application; which may include reports from specialists.
6. Preparation
   You will be asked to attend a series of preparation and training groups with other prospective adopters, to learn from social workers, adopters, foster carers, birth parents and adoptees about what adoption involves.
7. Preparing the Prospective Adopter’s Report
   A social worker from the Adoption and Fostering Unit will visit you at your home on a number of occasions to complete a report, and will talk to your children if you have any. The social worker will also visit your personal referees and will want to meet relatives from your extended family. If you have been in a previous relationship, particularly where you have cared for children, we will need to talk to you about making contact with your former partner and / or children.
8. Adoption Panel
   Your report is presented to the Adoption Panel, which recommends whether you can be approved as an adopter. You are expected to attend the Panel with your social worker and have the opportunity to answer any questions Panel members may have. The panel makes a recommendation to a senior manager who makes the final decision. If you are in disagreement about the decision you will be advised about the choices that are open to you.
9. Approval
   Following approval, your details will be considered by social workers in the adoption team and the social worker responsible for the children who are waiting for adoption.
10. Adoption
    Once a suitable child has been identified, matched with you by the panel and placed with you for a certain period of time, the adoption will be legalised in either the County Court or the Magistrates Court.