One of the saddest statistics in 2013 was the rising number of children in the care of local authorities, which now exceeds 68,000 children and is set to rise again in 2014.
A staggering 24% of these children – just over 16,000 – are aged 4 and under.
These figures are even more poignant when you consider a record number of women are set to use invitro fertilisation (IVF) to help them start a family this year, and over 25,000 would-be parents made enquiries about adopting a child.
In principle, bringing together children in care and couples/individuals desperate to be parents should be a relatively simple process. Yet more than 22,000 potential adoptive parents fail to be approved by social workers each year, for a variety of different reasons. These reasons range from being ‘too old’ to being turned down because of occasionally smoking.
For anyone considering adoption, or currently going through the process, you should be aware that the road ahead is likely to contain several bumps and could be a stressful and worrying time. Understandably, social services will want and need vast amounts of personal information from you and the amount of legal paperwork you’ll be required to read, absorb and complete is quite staggering. As such, many people decide to use a legal company like http://www.vpnotaries.co.uk to help them through this tricky process. They can offer professional advice as well as provide much needed peace of mind.
There are around 10 steps to the adoption process:
Express your interest
Contact your local authority or a voluntary adoption agency. It’s fine to enquire with several, but you can only register with one
Prepare to adopt
Once you have selected the agency you trust to take you through the process, you start the two-stage process. Stage one covers the basics such as references and medical checks. You will need to pass this stage before you are invited to enter the second stage
Assessment
Formal assessment marks the start of the second stage, which is required by law and is carried out by a social worker. This stage can take around four months and involves visits to your home and detailed training to prepare you for adoption
Go to panel
The good news is that if you have made it this far, most people who go to panel are approved
Linked with a child
It’s very likely that your agency will have already started to link you with children before final approval is made, which can help to speed up the process. However, if you haven’t been matched within three months after being approved you can join the adoption register of children which covers the whole of England and Wales
Match is made
At this stage you’ll be provided with information about a child (or children) and you can decide whether to proceed. If you agree, a matching panel will decide whether or not to recommend the pairing. The final decision will be made by your agency
Meet the child
This is a lovely time where you get to know the child gradually. This could include visits to your home and eventually overnight stays
Move in
The start of your new life together – scary and exciting at the same time. You’ll continue to receive support from your social worker, but will now be entitled to adoption leave from work
Make the adoption legal
This is the final ‘official’ stage in the process. After at least 10 weeks you can apply to the court for an adoption order – the child can then take your name
Start your life together
You’re finally able to enjoy your dreams of being a parent becoming reality. Congratulations
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