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Adoption

What is adoption?

Adoption is when a couple or family offer a permanet home to a child who has become looked after. It is a legal process, legally binding and the adoptive parents have full parental responsibilty once the adoption order is granted. All legal ties with the birth parents are severed and the child usually takes the family name.

 

Why do children need to be adopted?

Adoption is needed when it is not possible for the child to return home, either because the parents are unable to change their lives in a way that will be safe for the child or because they are unable to care for the child. In most cases the child will be placed with a foster carer until an adoptive family can be found.

 

The main reasons for adoption include:

 

  • birth parent or parents and social workers agreeing that the child would receive better care in an adoptive family
  • birth parent or parents unsuitable to continue to care for the child as they have abused the child
  • birth parent or parents have died
  • birth parent or parents are unable to cope as the child has complex needs
  • a child is abandoned or has come in to the country as an unaccompanied asylum seeker
  • birth parent or parents request it as they do not want to keep the child.

 

Children come from all backgrounds and may:

 

  • be an only child or have brothers and sisters 
  • have a range of needs, including ill health, developmental uncertainty or disability
  • be from any ethnic background or religion
  • use English as their second language.

 

Who can adopt a child?

As with the children who need an adoptive family, potentital adopters can come from any background. Adopters are needed who reflect the diverse needs of these children.

 

We encourage applications from people who:

 

  • are over 21 years old
  • come from all cultural, religious and social backgrounds 
  • have a disability

 

Children are usually placed with adopters who are considered best able to met their needs. For example children tend to be placed with adopters with similar ethnic backgrounds.

 

Popular myths

 

I must already have children of my own
No. You do not need to have your own children, but your parenting skills will be assessed as part of the application process. You will be expected to have some experience of caring for children and a good understanding of the energy and commitment you need to look after a child or young person.

 

I can't have children of my own

No. We recognise that many people choose to adopt because they are not able to have children of their own but that is not the sole reason that people choose to adopt or why they are chosen to adopt. The only stipulation we impose is that if you are unable to have children of your own we will not consider your application until you have finished any infertillity treatment. This is because we need to be sure that adoption is a positive choice for you.

 

I have to be married

No. We welcome applications from single people and from straight, gay or lesbian couples, whether married or not. If you are applying as a couple we will ask you about your relationship to try to make sure we place children in a stable environment.

 

I have to be employed

You can be in full or part time work, or unemployed. Our main concern is that you have time to give to a child. In fact If you do work full time you will need to take adoption leave from work to settle the child into their new home and make satisfactory childcare arrangements when you return to work. You will need to give time and energy to your adopted child. You will be required to attend meetings and training, so you may wish to speak to your employer about flexible working.

 

Becoming an adoptive parent

If you decide you would like to adopt a child you need to contact us. We will take some details from you and invite you to one of our information evenings to find out more.

 

If you decide to go ahead we will then arrange for a social worker to visit you at home. This is the first stage of the assessment process and gives you the opportunity to have a more in-depth conversation with us about what is involved. It also gives us a chance to find out more about what you can offer a child or young person.

 

As an adopter you will have to attend training and evaluation sessions before you can be approved to adopt a child and If you are making a joint application with a partner both of you have to attend these sessions.

 

 

If adoption sounds like something you want to do, please contact us today. Call 020 8937 4525 or email adoption@brent.gov.uk