Adopting a child and the adoption process in the UK

First off, who can adopt a child in England or Wales?  To qualify you must be over 21 and happy to make space in your life and home for a child.  

Now let us dispel some myths, you CAN adopt if, 

• You are married, living together, in a civil partnership, opposite-sex couple, same-sex couple or single 
• Employed or on benefits 
• Any ethnic or religious background  
• Have children or not 
• Own your home or live in rented 
• Already adopted a child  
• If you are disabled 
• You are not a British citizen (although you must have a fixed and permanent home here and lived here for at least a year before you begin the application process) 

To adopt a child, you must go through an agency, either one that is part of your local council or a voluntary adoption agency. (See links at the end of the article).  

The agency will supply information, meet with you to assess your suitability, explain the process and provide the application form.  

Once you have applied there will be a full assessment of you (and partner if involved) including: 

• Social worker visits on a number of occasions to assess your suitability to become adoptive parents 
• Police checks (You will not be allowed to adopt if you, or an adult member of your family, have been convicted of a serious offence, for example against a child.) 
• A full medical examination 
• Three personal references. One can be a relative.  
• You will also need to attend a series of preparation classes, often held locally. 

Your social worker will prepare and send the assessment report to an independent panel who are experienced in adoption.  They will make a recommendation based on your assessment.  

This recommendation will be sent to your chosen agency and they will decide if you are suitable to adopt or not.  

If approved, the agency will work with the local authority to start the process of finding a child.  

After matching potential adoptive parents with a child, the suitability of the situation for the child and parents will be discussed between the agencies involved. A matching panel will make the final decision.  

Once a child has been matched with an adoptive parent/s, the process of moving in is taken, understandably, very slowly. There are a series of visits and stays, supported by your social worker to make the transition as comfortable as possible before moving in permanently.  

Before a child moves in, Social Services need to obtain a Placement Order (unless the biological parents have consented).  This order gives Social Services the power as an adoption agency to place a child with a chosen adopter (you). 

Once the relationship is working well under the Placement Order and the child has been living with you for at least 10 continuous weeks, steps are taken to get an Adoption Order.