The initial process for enquiring about inter-country adoption is the same as that for adoption in general as described elsewhere, however there is a fee charged for the completion of the prospective adopters report. Staffordshire council tax payers can receive an initial counselling interview for which there is no charge and can attend consultation days and training sessions held by the inter-country adoption centre for which there is a fee.
When considering applications to adopt from outside the UK we apply the following priorities:
- Prospective adopters of a specific known child where it appears to be in the child's best interests to be adopted (e.g. relative adopters).
- Prospective adopters likely to be able to meet the ethnicity, identity, language and religious needs of a child from the country under consideration.
- Prospective adopters able to demonstrate a connection to and good understanding of the culture etc. of the country under consideration (e.g. people who have lived and worked in the country, have some knowledge of the language, have relatives there).
- Second time adopters who have successfully adopted from the country under consideration.
- Prospective adopters who can demonstrate a good understanding of the issues involved in inter-country adoption.
Applications from people who are able to meet the needs of Staffordshire children needing families will be prioritised over those applying for a child from outside the UK.
Recommended reading/useful contacts:
www.dfes.gov.uk/intercountryadoption
BAAF leaflet Intercountry Adoption (2006) www.baaf.org.uk
020 7421 2600
Intercountry Adoption Centre www.icacentre.org.uk
tel: 0870 516 8742
