Process in the UK
Which countries are open?
What will the homestudy be like?
UK laws and regulations
Post Adoption Support
Process in the UK
Before embarking on the process you need to have done some basic research. If you join OASIS you will be provided with a new members pack which should give you a firm basis to develop your knowledge.
The process starts when you contact your local Adoption Agency to ask to be assessed. Usually this is your Local Authority (council), although in some areas you may have the option of using the services of a specialist Voluntary Adoption Agency – or indeed your Local Authority may refer you there. Ask for the Adoption team.
You should be provided with basic information about Intercountry Adoption and the services of the agency and be told how to apply to be assessed regarding your suitability to adopt.
After the initial assessment you should be invited to join a preparation course and then a full Home study (see below) will be carried out and a decision will be taken as to your suitability to adopt by the Agency Decision Maker.
When this is complete your paperwork is sent to the Department for Children Schools and Families. Here your application is checked and a Certificate of Eligibility to Adopt is issued. Your dossier may require further notarisation legalisation or authentification (this depends on where you are adopting from) and is then ready to be sent to the country you hope to adopt from.
Thereafter the procedure will vary according to the country you hope to adopt from.
Which countries are open?
The situation with regard to which options are open to prospective adopters is a very fluid one – and as such OASIS believes is not best suited to this forum. There are too many variables including:
Age limits for adopters.
Viability for single adopters
Restrictions on existing family size
Age of children available
Waiting time for referral
Costs
Reliability of medicals & history
Established and functioning processes
for OASIS to be able to address them here. Please contact the OASIS helpline for the most up to date information available.
What will the homestudy be like?
There are two purposes to the homestudy.
The first is to assess your suitability to parent a child whose needs may be considerable. In addition to all the elements constant in all adoptions you will also need to have shown how you intend to support your child in their birth culture and as an adoptee.
The second is to help you prepare for the journey ahead
The way the assessment is done is that a social worker will gather
I. factual information about the applicants
II. a social history of the applicants
III. a competency based assessment
IV. medical and personal references
V. the characteristics of the children the applicants feel able to care for
VI. the Social Workers overall assessment and recommendation
and the procedures are quite strict as to how this is achieved.
The Home Study typically consists of a number of interviews with the prospective adopters (including both partners individually if relevant) any children or former partners, and their chosen referees and the submission of financial, CRB and medical checks.
Once your Social Worker has completed his/her report this is then submitted to your Local Authority’s adoption panel who make a recommendation to the Agency Decision maker who has the final decision at local level of your suitability as an adopter and the characteristics of the child(ren) you will be deemed suitable to be matched with.
During the Home Study process you can be preparing quite a lot of the ancillary paperwork which might include:
I. Original Birth Certificate(s)
II. Original Marriage Certificate(s) – and Divorce Certificates() if relevant
III. References from Employer (if applicable) re employment status
IV. Financial Status references (Bank Accountant etc.)
V. Photographs of yourselves and your home
Unfortunately the preparation element is not always as fully catered for as one might like and thus it is incumbent on adopters to ensure that they join appropriate adoption support groups, including country specific ones, and read as much as they can to build their knowledge base.
People’s experiences of homestudies vary widely – they are obviously very personal and individual. Some people find them disquieting as they take one to places one may have previously avoided – others find this same process very beneficial. Some people have personal problems with their assessors – others find them to be really productive contacts. A positive attitude which looks at the opportunities for learning and exploring issues is generally more likely to help build a positive relationship.
UK laws and regulations
The following sites will
Department for Children Schools and Families
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/intercountryadoption/
Adoption and Children Act 2002
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2002/20020038.htm
The Adoptions with a Foreign Element Regulations 2005
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20050392.htm
Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption
http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=conventions.text&cid=69
Post Adoption Support
Intercountry Adopters and Adoptees are entitled to be assessed for post adoption support needs, but are not automatically entitled to any support which is recommended.
Family Support groups like OASIS provide a really valuable source of information and shared experience. In addition some of the worlds best practitioners and therapists come to speak OASIS events. A adoptees get older there are also specialist support groups like TTAG www.ttag.org.uk