The adoption process from enquiry to becoming a parent

Adoption is a life changing experience for both children and parents. We will guide you through every step of the process, from your first enquiry to welcoming a child into your family. The two stage assessment process takes around six months and includes training, guidance, and ongoing support.

What to expect during the adoption process

The adoption process involves two stages designed to prepare you to be an adoptive parent, ensuring you feel confident and informed.

First steps: making your initial enquiry

We look to get in touch with you within five working days of your first contact with us.  We’ll answer your questions and invite you to meet with a social worker at the office, or at your home if you are unable to get to us.  This will be a chance for us to gather more detailed information from you, as well as give you more information about the adoption process and the children who are waiting to be adopted.  After this, you’ll receive a registration of interest form if you are ready to move on to the next step.

Stage one: checks, references and information sessions

Once we have received your registration of interest form, our Team Manager will review your information, and we’ll contact you to confirm if we are able to accept your application.   

If you proceed, stage one is adopter-led, and includes checks and references such as a criminal background check (DBS), employment, a medical, personal references and a few more which we’ll discuss with you.   

You’ll be invited to attend our information evening and to meet with a social worker from our team to explore adoption further.  We encourage you to be open, honest and ask as many questions as you like. We want to help you decide if adoption is right for you and your family.

This stage usually takes two months, and at the end, our Adoption Team Manager will write to you to confirm if you are able to progress to stage two. 

Stage two: home visits and adoption preparation training

In stage two, you’ll be allocated a social worker who will get to know you a little more and prepare an assessment with you during home visits.  We’ll explore your life experiences and history, your capacity to be a parent, your strengths and any vulnerabilities we can support you with.  You’ll also attend adoption preparation training to learn about the process, the children waiting for families and meet other prospective adopters.

You may have relatives who have questions about adoption. CoramBAAF has a useful handbook that can help provide facts about adoption, and how they can support.

This stage should take no more than four months; sometimes it may be longer if there are exceptional circumstances.  

Adoption panel and approval process

The information gathered in stage two produces something called a PAR – Prospective Adopters Report. 

This is presented to the Adoption Panel, who review your suitability to adopt and make a recommendation. You’ll be invited along so they can have a chat with you. The final decision is made by the Agency Decision Maker following the panel.

Matching you with a child or siblings

Once approved, we’ll begin considering children needing adoption and who, together, we think will be a good match.  We’ll provide as much information as possible about the child/children, their needs and their background.  When ready, the Adoption Panel formally approves the match.  

Placement planning and moving forward

Following your match, a placement planning meeting is held to help prepare for introductions and the transition for the child to move into your home. This includes foster carers, social workers, and you, ensuring the move is smooth and everyone feels supported.

The final stage: applying for an adoption order

After the child has lived with you for ten weeks, you can apply for an Adoption Order. Once granted, the child legally becomes a full member of your family.

After adoption: ongoing support for families

We offer continued support through our adoption support service and welcome you to ask for support at any time. You can request an assessment of your child’s needs until they turn 18 years of age. For the first three years, support is provided by the local authority or adoption agency that placed your child. Following this, it will be provided by your own local authority or adoption agency for where you live.

Wondering if adoption is right for you?

You don’t need to be ready to adopt. If you’re wondering what adoption involves or just want to talk it through, we’re here.

Request a call back through our contact form, call us on 0300 300 8090 or join one of our friendly information sessions.