Adoption

Adoption means belonging to and growing up with a new family when you cannot live with the family you were born into. A court makes something called an Adoption Order and then you are legally part of your new family and not in care or looked after any more. When the court makes the Adoption Order, the adoptive family becomes your new family.

All children need to grow up in a family with a parent or parents who will love them and look after them as they are growing up. Even as grown ups they will always be a family together.

Getting Adopted- Who decides?

Getting adopted is a very important event for everyone involved. Adoption will be discussed at your reviews when plans for your future are being discussed.

It is important for you to say what you think and how you feel. If you are not happy with the arrangements it is important for you to tell your social worker.

A decision to place a child for adoption goes before an adoption panel. This panel decides whether they think adoption would be right for you. The panel is made up of a group of adults that meets to decide whether adoption is the best plan for you; it always includes an adult who has been adopted.

Children who come into care are usually placed in foster care before being adopted. To make sure that the right family is chosen for you the social worker will need find out a lot about you and the things that are important for you. This might take a while before you finally move in with your new family.

The decisions being made about you should always take into account what you think and what you want to happen. You can ask your social worker how your views are being heard before decisions are made.

How will they find the right family?
Your social worker will do their best to find a family for you that is of a similar ethnic background. This means that your new family may speak the same language, have the same religious celebrations and share other parts of your culture. The family may live in your area but could also live in another part of the country.

When the right family has been identified you will get to meet them a few times and get the chance to stay over. You will see photographs or a video of their house and family. When you feel ready, probably between 2-8 weeks, you will go and live with them.

Will I see my birth family again?
For some children, it may be good to keep in touch with some family members and this may be possible; in other cases it may not be possible. Your social worker will help you sort out your feelings about seeing your birth family and whether it’s good for you to do so. Even if you do not see your birth parents there may be an arrangement for information to be exchanged, perhaps once a year.

What happens in court?
It is in court where something called the adoption order will be made. The Adoption Order will mean that you now belong legally to you new family. Your adoptive parents will always be your legal parents and will have full responsibility for you just as if you were born to them.

Adoption Support

While you are waiting for adoption to be final we will explain what is going to happen to you and why, so that you are prepared and ready.

Problems? There is help available
If you have any problems or difficulties, you have the right to make a complaint. In the first place it is good to speak with your own social worker. At any time you can talk to an independent advocate to help you. This is someone who does not work for the social work agency responsible for managing your care plan.

The following organisations can help you find an independent advocate:

Voice of the Child In Care
Freephone 0808 800 5792
Email: info@vcc-uk.org

National Youth Advisory service
Freephone: 0800 616 101
Telephone: 0151 649 8700

Children’s Legal Centre
Telephone: 01206 873 820
Website; www.childrenlegalcentre.com

More information for people wishing to Adopt

This document was last updated on 2005-12-16 10:09:52 published by the Sysadmin team. Document Reference:LBE_119495