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- What is Adoption?
- Who are the Children who need Adoptive Families?
- Why do Children need Adoption?
- What does the law say about Adoption?
- How do we prioritise enquiries?
- Can I / We apply to Adopt?
- What expectations do we have of you?
- How can I / We show you our skills?
- What happens next?
- What happens once you are approved?
- What support will you receive?
- Adoption FAQs
- Inter-Country Adoption
- Learn about Fostering!
What happens once you are approved to adopt?
If you are approved as an adopter we will discuss possible “matches” with children who need homes. You will be given full information about a child before you are expected to make a decision about whether you wish to proceed with a placement. We will support you throughout the process.
Once a ‘match’ has been suggested with a child, this will be taken to the Adoption Panel and Agency for a decision to be made about the proposed link between you and the child. If Panel and Agency agree the link a meeting will be held with you and the child’s social worker and foster carers to plan introductions between you and the child.
Your social worker and the child’s social worker will visit to see how you and the child are getting on. You will be given advice and information about the process of applying to Court to adopt the child. Once you have adopted you will have full parental responsibility. The child has to remain with you for a period of time (for at least 10 weeks) before you can make your Application to the Court to Adopt the child.
