How To Adopt In The UK
How To Adopt In The UK: Over 5,000 children are adopted in the UK each year. Becoming an adoptive parent to one of these children in the UK is a life changing decision. There are plenty of myths about who can adopt, the adoption process and the children available for adoption, so VideoJug shows you all you need to know about adopting in the UK.
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Step 1:
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Can I adopt?
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There is some confusion as to who is able to adopt in the UK. In fact, almost anyone can adopt whether you are married, single, gay or suffer from a disability. You do need to be over the age of 21 and clear of any criminal convictions that concern children. Otherwise, if you are a healthy, energetic, sensitive and caring person and want to provide a child with a loving and secure home, then you can adopt.
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Step 2:
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Is adoption right for me?
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Deciding to adopt a child can be a very big decision. Children who are placed for adoption have usually experienced some form of abuse or neglect so they will need adoptive parents who will be committed to them in both the good times and the bad. As a prospective adoptive parent, you must be able to provide this support. In essence, when adopting, it is the child's needs that comes first.
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Step 3:
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Find an agency
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Unless you are a close relative of the child you are hoping to adopt, the next step is to apply to an adoption agency. This will either be through your local authority social services department or voluntary adoption agencies such as Barnardo's. The British Association of Adoption and Fostering website has a list of all adoption agencies in the UK. Although you are not restricted from adopting out of your local area, doing so enables you to take full advantage of all the support the agency provides both during and after adoption.
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Step 4:
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Adoption process
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Once you have registered with an agency, it is time to begin the adoption proceedings. It is likely they will ask you to attend adoption preparation groups and also fill in a formal written application form. The agency will also need to complete police checks and a medical. When these are completed, the adoption agency will assign you with a social worker. Their job is to carry out a home study, effectively an assessment to ensure that you are capable of taking on an adopted child. The social worker will put together a report which is submitted to the adoption panel who will make a recommendation. But remember, it is your agency that always makes the final decision as to whether you can adopt. This process usually takes about 8 months. Although it may feel slow and arduous, it will all be worth it.
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Step 5:
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Matching a child
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When you are told the good news that you have been approved as a prospective adoptive parent, your social worker will begin matching you with a child. You can also be proactive and look in publications such as Be My Parent for children who have been placed for adoption. As with all placements, the child's needs come first. The agency will be looking to match a child with parents who have a similar culture, ethnic background and religion. When a child has been chosen, your social worker will give you a copy of the Child's Permanence Report. This will provide some more detailed information on who you have been matched with. It will tell you about the child's background, personality and what their current needs are. If both you and your social worker are happy with the match, the adoption panel will then be required to recommend the match. As always, it is the agency who make the final decision.
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Step 6:
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Child placement
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This is it. You have been matched with a child who is likely to be the one you will legally adopt. It is at this point you will meet the child for the first time. Unless the child is a baby, it is usual to have a few meetings before the child is actually placed with you. Maybe you will first go to see them at their foster home, and then they will visit you at your own home, initially just for a day but then for an overnight stay. When you are both feeling comfortable with the idea of a placement, there will be one final planning meeting and then the child can move in.
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Step 7:
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Adoption order
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To legalise the adoption, an order needs to be made by a court. Once this is completed the child's adoption certificate is issued and you are legally the parent's child.
