If you’re thinking about adoption, you probably have hundreds of questions. We have this quick guide to provide some answers to the things you’ve probably been wondering about.
Overview
There are some general criteria that must be met before adoption can take place.
Child
The child must be under 18 and have never been married or in a civil partnership.
Birth Parents
The birth parents generally have to consent to the adoption. There are some exceptions to this:
- If the birth parents or parent can’t be found
- If the birth parents or parent are incapable of consenting, for example in the case of a mental disability.
- If the child would be at risk if they weren’t adopted.
Adoptive Parents
The adoptive parents or parent must be over 21, but there isn’t an upper age limit. You must have lived in the UK for at least a year and have a fixed and permanent address. Adoptive parents can be:
- Single
- Married
- Civil partners
- Partner of the child’s parent
- Unmarried couple
- Same sex couple
- Heterosexual couple
It’s important to note that there are different rules if the child is a looked-after child and for private adoptions.
Adoption Support Fund
You may be able to access fund from the Adoption Support Fund which gives funds to provide therapy resources for adopted children. These therapies can help improve relationships in the adoptive family. Your social worker can make the application for you.
Adoption Process
There are two types of adoption agency – an agency that is part of your local council, and a voluntary adoption agency. The first step is to contact an agency. The agency will then send you information about their process. They’ll arrange to meet you. You may be invited to meet other prospective adoptive parents.
After the initial meeting, you will probably be given an application form. The approval process can take around six months. You may be invited to preparation classes in your area. These classes can help you understand what to expect, and the effect that the process can have on you.
The agency will also arrange for you to have home visits with a social worker, who will assess you. They will also arrange for a police check to be carried out. You can’t adopt a child if you, or an adult in your family has been convicted of a serious offence – such as offences against a child.
You will be asked to give 3 references. One of these references can be a relative. You will also be asked for a full medical examination.
The Assessment
When the social worker has made their assessment, they will send a report to an independent adoption panel. The panel will make a recommendation to the adoption agency. You can attend the panel to ask questions and answer questions.
If the panel recommends you for adoption, the agency will begin the process of matching you to a child. If the panel decides to refuse your application for adoption, you can appeal this decision.
Adoption Court Order
When you have been matched with a child, the next step is to get an adoption court order. The child must have been living with you for 10 weeks before you apply. When the order has been granted:
- The adoption is permanent.
- The child is legally treated the same as a biological child.
- You can buy a copy of the adoption certificate.
- You have parental responsibility for the child.
- The birth parents no longer have parental responsibility.
Adopting A Looked-After Child
The process for adopting a looked after child is similar to the general process for adoption. If you have been fostering the child, you will need to be reassessed for adoption. However, in this case, there will also be assessments and reports which are provided to the court. If this is agreed, then an adoption order can be made.
Adopting A Child From Overseas
If you are thinking about adopting a child from overseas, the first step is to contact an adoption agency in the UK. Before an overseas adoption can be approved, you must be assessed and approved by a UK agency. There may be a fee for the assessment. If you’re approved, your application will be sent to the Department of Education, who will check that it is eligible. You will be issued with a Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate needs to be sent to the overseas adoption agency with your application. Check their guidance as some agencies require it to be notarised and translated.
When you’ve been matched with a child, you will visit them in their home country. You will need to confirm in writing that you’ve visited with them and want to continue the adoption. You may need to get through court processes in the overseas country, and in the UK.
You should also be aware that the Department of Education charges a fee of £2,500 for processing an overseas adoption application. This excludes any additional costs for translation or notarising.
Restricted Countries
The UK has restricted adoptions from some countries. These include Nepal, Haiti, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Guatemala and Cambodia.
You may be able to make an exception if you have evidence that there is an exceptional reason for you to adopt a child from one of these countries.
Registering An Overseas Adoption
You might be able to register an overseas adoption if:
- The adoption took place in certain overseas countries.
- You were habitually residing in the UK at the time of the adoption.
- You have supporting evidence.
