Many people throughout the UK would love to adopt a child but worry that the paperwork and procedures are too demanding. Obviously there has to be a stringent selection process in place in order to ensure the long-term happiness of all parties.

Starting the process

According to the BBC the number of children put up for adoption in the UK is falling. This might mean that more potential adopters will have to look overseas in order to find a child who can be adopted. If you are taking this step, contact a law firm, for example, Vanner Perez Notaries, that will be able to help you with this process. Under the 1977 Adoption Act and The Hague Convention your notary will make sure that the whole process is legal and make sure that your certificate of eligibility to adopt is in order.

Adopting in the UK

It’s important that you keep an open mind when starting the adoption process. The famous children’s charity, Coram, has a very useful checklist to guide would be adopters. According to the Coram Charity, as soon as you contact them you will be put in touch with one of their social workers, and the adoption process will begin. Use the social worker as your personal point of information.

Assessment

Under current government legislation, introduced in July 2013, and known as the two-tier process, your initial meeting with the social worker is the first stage in the adoption process. This is where you can ask all about adoption, what the assessors will be looking for and this meeting will also give social workers a little more information about you.

The second stage is more detailed. You will be assessed in order to discover if you will make suitable adoption parents. Your strengths and your weaknesses will be judged and you’ll be invited to meet other adoptive parents and air any concerns you might have.

The panel

Once your social workers have compiled a detailed report about your background and your suitability you will be invited to attend an adoption panel. This is not as frightening as it sounds, the panel will want to hear your views and you will have full access to your social worker’s report.

Matching children with families

Once you have been approved you will be given information about children who are in need of a new home and family. You’ll be able to meet the child’s social worker and your own case worker will guide your through the process. If you think that one of the children is suitable, you’ll then be able to meet that child.

Enjoying time together

The first meeting with your prospective adoptive child can be nerve wracking for all parties, so try to take this into account. Initial contact will be made through a series of visits, and only when everyone concerned is confident will the child actually come to live with you. If the adoption is proving to be happy and successful, you can apply to the courts for the adoption to be made legal.

As long as you are prepared for this sometimes-intrusive process and understand the importance for both parties to understand each other, then the adoption will go much more smoothly.