We have an extensive bank of Frequently Asked Questions. If you are unable to find what you are looking for you may submit your question at the end of this page.
General
Adoption is a way of providing new families for children who, for various reasons, can no longer be brought up by their birth parents. It is a legal process which transfers all parental responsibility to the adopters. The process culminates in an adoption order which generally can't be reversed. There is a short period after the order is made during which the birth parent can appeal. An adopted child loses all legal ties with their birth parents and becomes a full member of the new family, usually taking the family's name.
What is the difference between adoption and fostering?
Adoption is a legal process by which a child becomes a permanent and full member of a new family. Fostering is a temporary arrangement to allow a child to live with a family until circumstances enable the child to return to their own family, live independently, or be placed for adoption. Unlike adoptive parents, foster carers are always given an allowance towards the cost of keeping the child, and in some cases they are also paid for their services. They always share the responsibility for the child with a fostering agency.
I'm not a British citizen? Can I still apply?
One of the applicants must be domiciled in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man or both must be habitually resident in the UK for at least a year before making an adoption application.
I'm thinking about adopting a stepchild. Can Adoption Matters Northwest help?
No. Please contact your local authority for further information.
The Adoption Panel turned us down. Can we reapply?
You can appeal against a decision to turn you down and you are free to apply to another agency. They may contact us to establish why you were turned down.
Yes. But part of our consideration will involve a discussion with the other agency.
The Children
What should I do when my adopted child starts asking about their birth parents?
Be honest and answer their questions in as simple and straightforward a manner as you can. We all have a right to know about our history, and a child's need to know does not minimise the value of adoptive parenthood. Adoptive parents have an additional parenting task: to help their child understand about their birth family. Strong relationships are based on truth, so be open and honest and bear in mind the child's age and understanding. You will probably be given a Life Story Book when a child is placed with you. This can be kept together with any significant mementos of the past for the child as he/she grows older. This information will enable you to use the material when your child wishes to know about the past.
Do adopted children keep contact with their birth parents, brothers and sisters, or other relatives?
For most children, it is invaluable and appropriate to keep contact with people from their past, including members of their birth family, previous carers and other people who may have been important to them. Contact arrangements vary considerably - sometimes it's regular face-to-face contact and sometimes it's by letter. The Adoption Matters Northwest team will remain on hand to support you through your particular set of circumstances. Adoptive parents can partake in indirect contact with the birth parents, grandparents and or siblings through a 'Letterbox' facility. This is an opportunity to provide birth relatives with information about your adopted child's development and progress.
What do adopted children need?
All children need love and security: for adopted children this is particularly important as they have often not previously experienced this. They need fun-loving, energetic, flexible and positive parents who enjoy children and who will delight in their achievements.
These days, few healthy white babies are placed for adoption. The most urgent need is for individuals and couples to consider adopting older children and children with disabilities. There is a need for black families to adopt young, black children.
Are there children from black and minority ethnic groups available for adoption?
Yes. Many of the children awaiting adoption have ethnic and cultural needs. We are looking for families from black and ethnic groups who can meet these needs.
How old are the children who are waiting to be adopted?
The law says that children can be adopted from infancy until the age of 18 years. We place children of all ages but the majority are between 2 and 10 years. Nowadays very few healthy white babies are placed for adoption.
How many children can I adopt?
We often place single children or brothers and sisters together and have placed sibling groups of three, four and five together.
What kind of children are waiting to be adopted and where are they from?
Many people associate adoption with babies. In fact, these days there are very few young babies available for adoption, partly because of the wider use of contraception, abortion and changes in people's attitudes. Also, state support has made it easier for single parents to bring up children on their own. Even though baby adoption is now relatively unusual, there are thousands of people who still want to adopt. Many of them consider older children, as well as children with disabilities and groups of brothers and sisters who would otherwise remain in foster or residential care. There are estimated to be as many as 5,000 children in the UK who are waiting to find a new family. Some have waited for years. They come from many different backgrounds. They are aged between 0 and 16 years but the majority who are placed are between 2-10 years. Some are from black and minority ethnic groups, some have disabilities, some have medical problems and they all have experienced difficulties in their early lives. Brothers and sisters might need to be placed together. There are many reasons why they can no longer live with their birth families - amongst them are abuse, neglect or family breakdown. Our aim is to find families to care for these children on a permanent basis so that they can develop for the future secure and stable family lives. There's a particular need to find new homes for older children and those with disabilities. Most of the children placed for adoption are cared for by their local authority in foster homes prior to placement for adoption. The upheaval they have known in their lives is likely to make an impact on their general development and may also have an influence on their behaviour. Frequently, brother and sister groups are adopted together, but we also find families for a wide age range of children who are being placed individually. In general, children who are under the age of two are part of a sibling group or have particular medical, developmental or background issues. Often children with a disability are overlooked by prospective adopters, so Adoption Matters Northwest is seeking families who can rise to the challenge of caring for a child with a disability. The range of ability within this group of children varies greatly, some may have been physically disabled from birth, some may have moderate to severe learning difficulties. All have the potential to achieve and to bring their adopters an overwhelming sense of satisfaction and achievement.
Qualities and Qualifications
Adoption is a challenging task. You need to be confident about your skills. Good preparation and support will be offered by Adoption Matters Northwest and others to help you. You need to consider where you personal support will come from.
What would prevent me being considered?
Our primary aim is the welfare of children and meeting their needs throughout their childhood. Occasionally we come across issues which would rule people out, eg serious medical issues; serious criminal offences and some personal issues. Right from the start we will seek to be honest with you about the issues that might rule you out.
Not essential, but it can be useful.
We consider people who are employed and those who are not. Your individual circumstances will be considered during your application.
No, you don't have to be employed to become an adopter.
How much time will I need to take off work when I adopt?
This depends very much on the ages and needs of the children that come to live with you. It is important that you are able to take as much time off work as possible to help the children settle with you and get to know you. It is not appropriate for children who have had many moves and carers in their lives to be cared for at a nursery or by a childminder. You therefore need realistic plans regarding your work commitments.
We accept applicants who have a religious faith and those who have none. Adoption Matters Northwest's history & origins stem from within the Anglican church. However we welcome applications from any person who actively practice their religion and offer the same welcome to people who have no religious affiliation. The children we place come from a wide range of religious and cultural backgrounds and we try to bear this in mind when we match them to adoptive parents.
I have a child with disabilities: will I still be considered if I apply to be come an adopter?
We will be very happy to look at your individual circumstances.
We already have children living at home. Can we adopt?
We welcome applications from families with children. Generally the child to be adopted is placed as the youngest family member, and usually an age gap of at least 2 or 3 years is preferred. Therefore if your child is presently of pre-school age, it would be wise for you to wait for a few years before considering adoption. It will be important for your social worker to meet your children and to consider their views and understanding of adoption. Experience has taught us that the children we place for adoption are emotionally vulnerable and very demanding of attention: it will take time for them to begin to settle in your family. You will have to consider how this may affect the children living in the family. Occasionally a family with young children are interested in adopting either a much older school-aged child or teenager or an older child with a severe disability. The circumstances of their application would be given careful individual consideration.
We can't have children of our own - can we be considered?
Yes. Many of our adopters are childless. However, first of all we will always encourage you to discuss matters relating to childlessness with your GP and to pursue medical investigations before considering adoption. We always ask you to have completed any investigations or treatment before actively pursuing an adoption application. Both avenues to parenthood are emotionally arduous and our experience has shown that it is unwise to follow both options simultaneously.
Yes, we consider applications from gay couples. The law allows unmarried couples, including gay couples, to make a joint adoption application.
I'm a divorcee. Can I apply to become an adopter?
Yes, we consider applications from people who have been divorced.
I'm single. Could I be considered?
You don't need to be married, or have a partner to become an adoptive parent. Single, divorced and widowed people can apply. We are pleased to work with single people who wish to consider adoption. As in all applications, careful consideration is given to the applicant's support network and their flexibility regarding employment arrangements, if they are employed.
Do I need to be married or in a relationship?
No. You do not have to be married or in a relationship in order to apply or become and adoptive parent. Single applicants can and do adopt.
Do I need to live in a big house with a big garden?
No you do not have to live in a big house, however you may wish to consider the space you have available when you are thinking about adoption.
Do I need to be rich to be an adopter?
No. Wealth and possession do not necessarily make people good adoptive parents. Love, commitment and stability are what these children need most of all.
What if I have any criminal convictions?
All adopters are subject to an enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check & other statutory checks. This is standard practice for any adoption agency to ensure that there is nothing in an applicant’s background that would place a child at risk. There are some criminal offences, particularly those against children, which will rule you out. The agency shall not proceed with an offence listed in the Children (Protection from Offenders) Regulation s 1997. We're happy to discuss this with you if you are unsure.
Can we back out after we've applied?
Yes. Sometimes people pull out when they realise adoption is not right for them.
I'm disabled. Can I still apply?
Yes. We would look at how your disability might affect your ability to become an adoptive parent.
What does it take to be a successful adopter?
Our adopters are all different. They may be single, divorced or widowed; have a full time job or be unemployed; have their own home or live in rented accommodation, or be from any ethnic or religious background. What they all have in common is the willingness and commitment to offer a child or children a loving, caring home in which they can thrive. Adopters come from all backgrounds and all walks of life. We're not looking for saints! You need patience, humour and a strong commitment. You need energy and love - and a determination to help these children overcome their unhappy and sometimes painful experiences. It takes time. However, the rewards of providing stability and love and seeing these children grow are just enormous. If you decide to proceed we will be looking with you at how your life experience, present knowledge and skills will help you to be a successful adopter. You may not have lots of experience of bringing up children, but other experiences in your life may have given you understanding which will be useful as an adopter. For example: you may have cared for the children of relatives or friends; you may have experienced separation from people important to you or even bereavement. This could help you to understand how a child coming into foster or adoptive care may feel; you may have been bullied at school or work and so be able to stand up for a child who also feels different. At this initial stage it would be helpful if you could begin to think about your life experience and the relevant skills and knowledge it has given to you. You need to think not only about the employment you have had and any qualifications you have gained, but also about experiences acquired through your own family life, voluntary work, hobbies and interests. Why not use the following headlines as a guide to the sort of areas we will be discussing with you further. Child care experience? What did you learn from the way you were brought up? What experience have you had in caring for children? Could you extend your experience by getting involved with local children's groups or schools? Working with others as part of a team Links with individuals/groups in your community Relevant training/achievements
What skills and experience would help to be an adopter?
The agency will judge an application on the basis of an applicant's ability to care for a child throughout his or her childhood and the likelihood of the applicants being a resource that the Local Authority would consider for the placement of a child.
Yes, second applications are taken forward from families who have already adopted through the agency and these are considered on an individual basis.
I'm living abroad. Can I adopt through you?
One of the applicants must be domiciled in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man or both must be habitually resident in the UK for at least a year before making an adoption application. If you are a member of the Armed Forces you might also consider contacting SSAFA.
My own children have left home. Am I too old to adopt?
We welcome applications from experienced parents. All enquiries are given careful consideration and adoption agencies are advised by the relevant Government Departments that prospective adopters should have "a reasonable expectation of retaining health and vigour so as to be able to meet the many and varied demands of children during their formative years". You will need to consider your age/s in relation to the age/s of child/ren you wish to adopt.
All enquiries are given careful consideration and adoption agencies are advised by the relevant Government Departments that prospective adopters should have 'a reasonable expectation of retaining health and vigour so as to be able to meet the many and varied demands of children during their formative years'. You will need to consider your age/s in relation to the age/s of child/ren you wish to adopt.
What are the age limits for adopters?
We do not set age limits for adopters but the law states that all applicants must be aged 21 years and above. As an applicant we will not rule you out based simply on your age. In fact there is no actual upper age limit. All enquiries are given careful consideration and adoption agencies are advised by the relevant Government Departments that prospective adopters should have "a reasonable expectation of retaining health and vigour so as to be able to meet the many and varied demands of children during their formative years". You will need to consider your age/s in relation to the age/s of child/ren you wish to adopt.
Adoption Matters Northwest will act in the framework of the legislation and will not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status or disability. Adoption Matters Northwest aims to recruit families that meet the adoption criteria set out, and hence will meet the needs of those children requiring placement for adoption. All applicants must be 21 years old, except that a birth parent adopting his or her birth child, together with his or her spouse (who is not the birth parent), may be 18 or over provided the spouse is at least 21. There is no legal upper age limit. Joint adoption applications can be made by unmarried couples, married couples or by couples who have entered into a Civil Partnership. A sole adopter must be single, or if married can only adopt without his/her spouse in certain circumstances. One of the applicants must be domiciled in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man. For single applicants the law states that they must either be domiciled in the UK, or habitually resident for at least a year before making an adoption application. For couples, one of the applicants must be domiciled in the UK or both must be habitually resident in the UK for at least a year before making the application. Where the child has not been placed by an adoption agency, the applicants in England and Wales must give notice to the local authority for the area in which they have their home of their intention to apply for an adoption order, at least three months before the order can be made.
Why do people consider adoption?
There can be many reasons. Some people consider adoption if they have been unable to have birth children, for whatever reasons. Other people who have birth children but are unable to have any more, turn to adoption to 'complete' their family. We often have applications from successful parents who wish to parent again.
What are the main qualities you are looking for?
The major qualities we seek in an applicant are people who are 'child centred’ can demonstrate capabilities of looking after a child safely and responsibly and have time in their lifestyle to meet the needs of a child they may adopt. Under the National Adoption Standards each Adoption Agency must provide written eligibility criteria for those people enquiring about applying to be approved as prospective adoptive parents .
Health Issues
Yes. many of our adopters are childless. However, first of all we will always encourage you to discuss matters relating to childlessness with your GP and to pursue medical investigations before considering adoption. We always ask you to have completed any investigations or treatment before actively pursuing an adoption application. Both avenues to parenthood are emotionally arduous and our experience has shown that it is unwise to follow both options simultaneously.
Yes. All adoption applicants are required by law to have a medical examination as part of their adoption assessment. This is done by an appointment with your GP and the necessary forms are supplied by us. The completed report is returned by the GP to Adoption Matters Northwest where it is looked at by our Medical Adviser for comment and a recommendation to the Adoption Panel. Adoption medical reports are held confidentially by the Agency. Prospective adopters are expected to be in good general health. This includes consideration of lifestyle-related issues such as weight, smoking and alcohol consumption. These factors are not in themselves contra-indications to adoption. We consider all medical information and if, in our opinion, there is a particular health risk either to you or to the children who may be placed in your care, we would then discuss these matters with you carefully before proceeding further. Occasionally applicants tell us at their first enquiry about a known medical condition for which they are receiving treatment or investigations, or they may be concerned about the possibility of inherited medical conditions in their extended family. In these circumstances we will ask you to have early adoption medicals so that any difficulties can be addressed promptly in discussion with our Medical Adviser.
I smoke - will this prevent me from being accepted as an adopter?
All adoption applicants are required by law to have a medical examination as part of their adoption assessment. This is done by an appointment with your GP and the necessary forms are supplied by us. The completed report is returned by the GP to Adoption Matters Northwest where it is looked at by our Medical Adviser for comment and a recommendation to the Adoption Panel. Adoption medical reports are held confidentially by the Agency. Prospective adopters are expected to be in good general health. This includes consideration of lifestyle-related issues such as weight, smoking and alcohol consumption. These factors are not in themselves contra-indications to adoption. We consider all medical information and if, in our opinion, there is a particular health risk either to you or to the children who may be placed in your care, we would then discuss these matters with you carefully before proceeding further. Occasionally applicants tell us at their first enquiry about a known medical condition for which they are receiving treatment or investigations, or they may be concerned about the possibility of inherited medical conditions in their extended family. In these circumstances we will ask you to have early adoption medicals so that any difficulties can be addressed promptly in discussion with our Medical Adviser.
I'm overweight - will this count against me?
All adoption applicants are required by law to have a medical examination as part of their adoption assessment. This is done by an appointment with your GP and the necessary forms are supplied by us. The completed report is returned by the GP to Adoption Matters Northwest where it is looked at by our Medical Adviser for comment and a recommendation to the Adoption Panel. Adoption medical reports are held confidentially by the Agency. Prospective adopters are expected to be in good general health. This includes consideration of lifestyle-related issues such as weight, smoking and alcohol consumption. These factors are not in themselves contra-indications to adoption. We consider all medical information and if, in our opinion, there is a particular health risk either to you or to the children who may be placed in your care, we would then discuss these matters with you carefully before proceeding further. Occasionally applicants tell us at their first enquiry about a known medical condition for which they are receiving treatment or investigations, or they may be concerned about the possibility of inherited medical conditions in their extended family. In these circumstances we will ask you to have early adoption medicals so that any difficulties can be addressed promptly in discussion with our Medical Adviser.
Adoption Matters Northwest shall take into account an applicant’s health to satisfy the need that applicants are sufficiently healthy to care for a child throughout his or her growing up years. All adoption applicants are required by law to have a medical examination as part of their adoption assessment. This is done by an appointment with your GP and the necessary forms are supplied by us. The completed report is returned by the GP to Adoption Matters Northwest where it is looked at by our Medical Adviser for comment and a recommendation to the Adoption Panel. Adoption medical reports are held confidentially by the Agency. Prospective adopters are expected to be in good general health. This includes consideration of lifestyle-related issues such as weight, smoking and alcohol consumption. These factors are not in themselves reasons to reject an application. We consider all medical information and if, in our opinion, there is a particular health risk either to you or to the children who may be placed in your care, we would then discuss these matters with you carefully before taking things further. Occasionally applicants tell us at their first enquiry about a known medical condition for which they are receiving treatment or investigations, or they may be concerned about the possibility of inherited medical conditions in their extended family. In these circumstances we will ask you to have early adoption medicals so that any difficulties can be addressed promptly in discussion with our Medical Adviser.
Our Services
No. We feel it is important that you take care of yourself and your birth children so continuing with your application is not the wisest choice for you at this time.
People who placed a child or children for adoption years ago may come to a point in their lives where they want to share their feelings or try and make some form of contact with them. The Adoption Matters Northwest Post Adoption practitioners can provide guidance and support as well as a listening ear. We can also help you in accessing services from other agencies.
I've just found out that I am adopted. I'm confused. Who can I talk to?
You can talk to us or we can put you in touch with other specialist services.
Can Adoption Matters Northwest help me trace my birth parents / relatives?
Yes, we can certainly look into your case and provide some help. When an adopted person becomes an adult at eighteen they have the legal right to seek information about their origins and may approach an adoption agency for advice. We can give assistance by helping with access to birth records but we inform the adoptee that they must do the research themselves. They may wish to try to contact their birth family and we would encourage them to allow us to be the intermediary party to assist in this task with the possibility of arranging a reunion. We also encourage adopted adults to keep their adoptive families informed but the decision must remain theirs and we would respect their autonomy. We believe it is positive when adoptive parents are part of the reunion arrangements. Adoption Matters Northwest staff will offer advice and caution and will assist in supporting those involved during the early stages of such re-unions. Alternative we can put you in touch with other specialist services.
I am an adopted person. Does Adoption matters Northwest provide any services for people like me?
Yes. People who have been adopted often want to talk about their situation and their feelings. You can talk to us informally and we can provide you with information about specialist support, accessing advice about birth records, tracing, and the Adoption Contact Register. If you were adopted from within our region we can provide information on tracing, counselling and reunion services as well as other intermediary services and self help groups.
What support will I get after a child has been adopted?
As a voluntary adoption agency we do not have a statutory duty to provide post adoption services, but we are here to provide advice and support and able to listen if you are in need of help. We do not pretend to have all the answers but if we can not provide adequate help we would be able to direct you to more specialist post adoption organisations. You may need assistance. Families sometimes need help with talking to children about their past, helping them with their identity, or handling difficult behaviours. Remember all parents experience some difficult behaviour from children at some time. Some adopted children can present difficulties during adolescence as they strive to become independent individuals. Post adoption may involve Letterbox arrangments : This is a formal arrangement, whereby adoptive parents and birth parents agree to exchange information once or twice a year giving a brief progress report and or a photograph. Adoption Matters Northwest actively encourages the 'letterbox' system and a co-ordinator at the agency ensures suitable material is sent, always via the Agency or the child's Local Authority. Birthparent Contact: Occasionally the Agency or possibly yourselves will receive information about the birth parents This information is for your benefit and is designed to assist you in giving your child up to date information when you choose to talk about the past. Birth family Contact: These are arrangements to maintain contact with significant birth relatives of the child such as a brother or sister or grandparents. This contact may be through occasional visits or may be through telephone calls or post. Information about health : Sometimes we may receive information about a medical condition in the birth family that may possibly have an impact on the health of your child. The purpose of any contact is to meet the child’s identity and emotional needs.
Following your approval, we will continue in partnership with you, working towards the placement of children for adoption in your family. Prospective adopters tell us they have chosen to come to Adoption Matters Northwest because of our clear commitment to the support of our adopters and our strong reputation for this service. Support is offered by the Agency at all stages: from your registration as adopters, through placement and even in the years ahead after an Adoption Order has been made. Once you have been approved as adopters we will guide you through discussions regarding the child/ren who eventually join your family and support you through introductions to them. Most families are linked with children within a year of approval, but for those who are not, we complete an annual review of your circumstances. Once a child has been placed with you, we will then remain in close contact to help you with advice and guidance regarding any particular issues that you encounter in caring for the child. We have an adopters' support group which meets regularly and we can link you into Adoption UK which is a national adoption support network. Our commitment to our families continues long-term following the making of the Adoption Order. An annual phone contact is made to all families if they wish. Families themselves are welcome to phone the Agency at any time. We publish a regular newsletter and there are opportunities to maintain links with the agency via Fun Days, the annual Children's Party and various other activities.
Does Adoption Matters Northwest provide training?
Adoption Matters Northwest provides good and thorough training. If you want to learn more, you will be invited to attend a course of Adoption Preparation Groups These courses are held periodically throughout the year. The preparation groups cover a wide range of adoption-related issues such as child development, attachment, separation and loss, identity, resilience and the effect of maltreatment and neglect. The groups will also provide an opportunity for you to meet adopters and to hear about their experiences. Our aim is to help you make an informed decision about whether adoption is right for you. We do not ask you to make a commitment to adoption until you have completed the Groups programme.
What area does Adoption Matters Northwest cover?
We accept applications from people living in the Northwest of England. Sometimes we can accept applications from further afield from around the region if it involves older children and those with very special medical needs. We have close links with other adoption agencies in the North West and local authorities nationwide who are looking for families for children in their care.
We realise you have a choice. In such an important issue as adoption, it's vital that you deal with people you have confidence in, feel able to trust, and who can give you the professional support you need now and in the future. Adoption Matters Northwest is a specialist adoption agency. Adoption is our reason for existing as an organisation and we have a long and proud history, providing these services for over 60 years.
Adoption Matters Northwest is one of a network of Voluntary adoption agencies across the UK. We don't provide any services other than those concerned with adoption. We have close links with many local authorities throughout the UK who ask us to provide specialist adoption services. We pride ourselves on the level of preparation and support that we are able to give to our adopters.
The Process
Yes. Less than 5% of our placements break down, compared with a national average of around 20%, thanks in part to our thoroughness and our dedication. We seek to reduce the chances of breakdown by offering good preparation and access to support services.
When should I tell my adopted children that they've been adopted?
If you adopt a very young child, you can start explanations at a very early stage, so that they get used to the word adoption and grow up knowing all about it. If children are older when they come to live with you, they will have memories of their past and they will need you to help them understand what is happening to them. The important thing to remember is that explanations need to be ongoing and to grow and develop alongside the child, taking into account their developing understanding of life, love and relationships.
Do we have to remain in touch with the birth parents?
Adoptive parents may be expected to partake in indirect contact with the birth parents.
Must we remain in the UK after the full legal adoption is complete?
No.
Do we have to remain in touch with the agency after the legal adoption?
No you become the legal guardian so you and the child do not have to remain in contact with the agency , however if the unthinkable happened and an adopted child dies, recent Government guidance indicates that it is the duty of the adoptive parents to notify the Agency so that information can be passed on to the birth parents.
What are the legal implications of being an adopter?
When you adopt children and the Adoption order is made you are given parental responsibility for the children and you become their legal parents. There is a period of time between the matching of child, placement of the child and the formal adoption application (with adoption order and certificate), known as the settling in period. The decision to make an adoption order will be done during the settling period. Once all sides of the adoption are happy and settled, a decision is made to make the formal adoption application which is submitted to court. The child will be legally adopted at a formal court adoption hearing. You attend with your adoptive children and on completion you will receive a certificate and in due course a copy of the adoption order and new birth certificate for your child. Once an adoption order has been made the status is permanent & irrevocable.
Do we get the final say on the child that we adopt?
Only if the local authority and the applicants agree, does a match go forward. No adopters would be made to agree to a child being placed if they did not think it was right.
Can we choose our own child from an adoption magazine?
There are two agencies who send members a magazine featuring children available for adoption as well as interesting articles and features. Be My Parent, details of which can be found at www.baaf.org.uk and adoption UK. Subscribers can enquire about children but would be subject to assessment & approval if they appeared to be suitable.
How does Adoption Matters Northwest match children with adopters?
You and your social worker together will seek to match your skills and experience with the needs of particular children. Adoption matters Northwest is keen to ensure that your details are spread around the Local Authority network as widely as possible. We have access to children who are referred from right across the country from the Adoption Register, via informal links with local authorities and adoption organisations and regional consortia. Adoption Matters Northwest receives information about children available for adoption almost on a daily basis in the form of flyers and profiles. In addition national publications are available six times a year and through subscriptions can be received by approved adopters. The magazines are called Be My Parent and Adoption UK. Every year in the Autumn all agencies are involved in National Adoption Week and with support from the Government, seek to highlight the need for adoptive parents to meet the needs of the children identified for adoption. National and local media are contacted and programmes, articles and events draw to the attention of the public the current needs. The process of matching is very carefully considered as it is vital that we find the right children for you and there will be regular discussions between the various agencies over possible matches once you have been approved. Once a possible link had been identified and seen as viable, your worker will exchange information with the child's worker. If both parties agree, your social worker would come and meet with you to share information. You are given time to consider whether you would like to proceed further. The next stage involves meeting the child's worker and in some cases the child's current foster carer.
Adoption Matters Northwest' commitment to work in an anti-discriminatory way informs all areas of our service provision and social work practice. We aim to treat all individuals fairly, openly and with respect throughout the adoption process. We welcome applicants of all faiths and none. They can have access to our complaints procedure.
What is the role of the panel?
The Panel consists of a Chair with experience of adoption, a Vice Chair, two members of staff, a Trustee and three independent members. The Agency also has access to Legal. Medical and Education Advisors. The panel can only function (be quorate) if there are six members present. Adoption standards say that applicants should be able to attend a panel if they so wish and it is our practice to always invite our applicants. The Adoption Panel considers your application and recommends to the agency whether you should be approved as prospective adopters. A recommendation is reached by consensus not vote. In a majority of cases Panel make a recommendation on the same day and the applicants will be verbally informed of the recommendation within the 24 hours period following panel. This is not the final approval however, this is made by the 'agency decision maker'. Within 24 hours of the Panel meeting the agency would make its decision based on the Panel recommendation. The decision would be conveyed in a written acknowledgement by the agency decision maker within seven working days. If you are unhappy about the agency's decision, you have the right of appeal and use the Adoption Matters Northwest Compliments, Comments & Complaints facilities. Down load the leaflet from our Useful leaflets page. However we aim to work openly and honestly with you in partnership and to have aired any concerns.
The preparation groups are designed to help applicants understand the nature of adoption, by exploring all the aspects involved in adoption. The training will focus on many aspects including the three sides to the adoption triangle; The Child The Adoptive Parents The Birth Parents Preparation Group are also an ideal opportunity to meet with adopters and hear about their experiences
Will I have to provide references?
It is a legal requirement that every adoption application must be supported by two personal references. At Adoption Matters Northwest we also like to meet with a family member. Your referees should know you well, be aware of your interest in adoption and be able to comment about your potential as adoptive parents. Adoption referees are asked to complete a written reference based on guidelines provided by the Agency. When this is returned an appointment will be made by your social worker to visit them for further discussion. The Department for Children, School and Families (DfCSF) also advise us to contact former partners where there have been children of that relationship. We would discuss the individual circumstances with you first. We also will need to verify your employment. In some cases, and depending on the circumstances, we will seek an employer's reference. We appreciate that you may not wish to inform your employer about your application to adopt until further down the assessment process and we would be sensitive to your decision. We would discuss the timing of this with you. All references are held by the agency as confidential information.
It is required by law that checks are completed by the Criminal Records Bureau, which include Police, Department of Health and Department for Children, Schools and Familes records. Additionally, checks are completed locally with Social Services, the Probation Service, the Education Department and the Community Paediatrician. Certain criminal convictions, in particular those involving children, automatically exclude applications. Enhanced CRB checks are undertaken on all members of the household who are over 18, as are local authority checks with social services. Additional Documentation required:- Birth certificate Marriage certificate Divorce papers (if applicable). Photograph (applicant/s and children if applicable, just any ordinary snap-shot). All original documents are required. The photographs are kept in your file . At an early stage of your assessment you will be required to arrange to undergo a medical with your General Practitioner. Your GP may well charge for this service.
Will the police check up on my background?
Yes, you will be subject to an enhanced CRB check.
What does the assessment involve?
The assessment stage is undertaken by your allocated key worker and can be done in your own home, hence assessment is otherwise known as home study. The length of time assessment / homestudy will take depends on your availability. The assessment would consist of a minimum of eight sessions with the worker and the applicants plus individual interviews with each applicant and any other member of the household including children. Sessions would normally be no more than a fortnight apart. The assessment process is designed to be a shared experience between the worker and the applicants to explore and evaluate the viability of the applicants adopting a child and their capacity to provide an adoptive home to the sorts of children available for adoption. The opportunity is given for applicants to consider their own motivation and to consider the impact of adoption on their relationships within their own family. The Assessment Report (known as P.A.R.) will usually be completed within three weeks of the final visit and a copy sent to the applicants. This consists of detailed information about the applicants background and circumstances, their current and past significant relationships, their reasons for wishing to adopt, their understanding of the needs of children, their ability to value diversity among people and their capacity to work with the Agency throughout the adoption process. The applicants are asked to verify the accuracy of the report and to challenge any statements made with which the applicants disagree. The applicants have up to twenty-eight days to respond to the report and to indicate that they are satisfied with its contents. The Agency might provide a second worker to make a visit to the applicants to discuss particular aspects of the Assessment Report that may need clarification and to provide a brief written report for the Panel.
How long does the adoption process take?
We know that you will be keen to complete the process but we need to make sure that you're properly prepared, and that our assessment and checks are carried out sensitively and comprehensively. Usually the preparation and assessment take 6 - 8 months. The process of matching you with the right children can also be time consuming - it may take weeks or even months to find the child or children that are right for you. Some of our adopters wait up to a year. Usually those who have a wide offer in terms of the ages and children they are interested in, wait for only a short time. Other agencies might claim to complete these processes more quickly. Here at Adoption Matters Northwest, we believe in thoroughness and attention to detail so that we minimise the possibilities of anything going wrong and avoid the disappointment and pain that can result for both sides.
When can I make an application to adopt?
We will ask you to fill out a formal application prior to your attendance at a preparation group. The application form requires more information about yourself, including; marital status, the names and ages of any children and whether they are birth or adopted children. We also require the names of any other members of your household. If they are adults they like you will need to be checked by the Criminal Records Bureau.
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