Adoption: Being The Birth Parents
What happens if the birth parents do not consent to the adoption?
The adoption would go through on the basis of consent. However, if the father or if either parent did not consent then the adoption agency can ask the court to make the adoption order, ultimately dispensing with that consent if it's in the best interest of the child to do so. In other words, with their welfare in mind. The other option is obviously that if that parent can't be found, then that consent can be dispensed with.
Is a birth father notified of a potential adoption?
Fathers with parental responsibility have to be notified of the adoption. If, a father has not got parental responsibility, the adoption agency of the local authority is as often is, and can actually give that father notice.
Do the birth parents have to give consent to the adoption?
An adoption order would go through on the basis of the mother's consent and that of the father with parental responsibility. If it was withheld by either of the parents, then the court could still make the adoption order if it feels that it is right to dispense with that consent from a welfare point of view, with the children's or the child's best interests at heart. So, in other words, lack of consent does not prevent adoption as long as the court feels that it's right to dispense with consent from the child's welfare standpoint.
Do the birth parents have any say in the choice of adoptive parents?
No, unless it's a step-parent adoption.
As a mother, can I stop the adoption of my child?
Once a parent has given their consent for the placement process, for example, then the general presumption is that it's consent to the overall adoption process. If one is changing one's mind along the way, then you would technically need the permission of the court to revoke that consent as it were.
How are adoptions arranged?
Adoption is a legal process and there are very strict guidelines and rules about how it's done. It's not done through the individual, it's not done privately, it's done through an adoption agency which is a registered body, typically a local authority or a registered adoption society.
What do I do if I want to have my child adopted?
That's something that you would contact social services of your local authority, normally.
