Choosing to adopt a child is a big decision. You need to be certain you are ready for what will be a lifetime commitment.
We will tell you at the beginning of the process what kinds of children are currently looking for adoptive parents. We are particularly interested to hear from people who want to adopt older children, groups of children from the same family and children with special needs.
While we accept applications from people who want to adopt a baby, you may have to wait longer for an assessment while we prioritise applications for other children.
There are various steps to go through before a child is found for you, and an adoption order is made.
Step one – register your interest
Once you have registered your interest in adoption, we will contact you.
Step two – finding out more about adoption
If you decide to go ahead with an enquiry, you will first attend an information evening, followed by a discussion with a social worker from our adoption team. You will then attend a preparation course to explain more about the adoption process. We will then start your assessment as potential adopters. We treat all applications in confidence.
Step three – social worker interviews
The assessment process helps us find out whether adoption is right for you. You will have a series of interviews with a social worker. They will write a detailed report about your individual and family background, health and lifestyle, and why you want to adopt a child.
You will be able to see a copy of this report. We will also ask you to give the names of referees (people who know you and your family well) who we will visit.
Step four – employment, financial and personal checks
We will ask you to have a medical examination and will carry out other checks with the police, the Child Protection Register and the Department of Health. So that we can make sure the information you give us is correct, we make employment and financial checks. We always check any employment that included any childcare responsibilities.
If you have been in a previous relationship that included children, we will take references from former partners unless there are good reasons not to do so. These checks help to make sure that you are suitable to care for children.
We do the checks in strict confidence and we will only share the information we have about you with the people who are involved in making the final decision. The East Sussex Adoption Panel will then consider your application.
Step five – the adoption panel
You will be invited to attend the adoption panel in person and you can also write a letter to the panel to go with your application. The panel is currently made up of a variety of people, including county councillors, a social worker and a medical adviser. A legal adviser is always at the meetings but they are not a panel member.
After thorough discussion, the panel sends its recommendation to the Director of Children's Services. The director makes the final decision about approving you as an adopter. The adoption panel is also responsible for approving plans for children to be adopted.
Step six – finding a child
After you have been approved, the adoption team will begin to look for a suitable match with a child. When trying to match children and families, we consider a child's ethnic origins, religion and sex, as well as their physical, intellectual and emotional health. We thoroughly study each child, including:
- a complete physical examination
- gathering information on the child's background, and their family's health, appearance, skills and achievements, and
- understanding the reasons why the child is being placed for adoption.
Knowing as much as possible about a child helps to find the most suitable new family for them. These checks also mean that you, as an adoptive parent, know as much as possible about the child. This information is essential to help adoptive parents tell the children about their family history and background.
Step seven – widening the search
The search usually starts locally but may spread to other authorities in the country. The East Sussex County Adoption Team works with other authorities in the South East Adoption Consortium (SEAC) to provide a range of services for both children needing adoption and adoptive parents across the regions.
The consortium runs recruitment campaigns to place children with difficulties, and shares information about children with potential adopters, so that delays are reduced and the chances of finding the right child are increased.
You can contact the different adoption teams directly:
Bexley Council
Phone: 01322 356545
Email: adoption&fostering@bexley.gov.uk
Brighton & Hove City Council
Phone: 01273 295444
Email: fostering.adoption@brighton-hove.gov.uk
East Sussex County Council
Phone: 01323 747154
Email: adoption@eastsussex.gov.uk
Kent County Council
Phone: 0845 330 2968
Email: kentadoption@kent.gov.uk
Medway Council
Phone: 01634 331113
Email:
adoption@medway.gov.uk
Step eight – placement
Once a suitable match with a child has been found, you will be given details of the child's background and informed why the child is available for adoption. If the adoption panel recommends the match and the agency then approves it, plans will be made to introduce you to the child and place him or her with you. Introductions start with a short visit followed by longer visits. You will also be able to take the child out for a period of time and spend increasing periods of time with the child at your home.
After this initial period the child will come to live with you and be a real part of your family.
Step nine – the adoption order
When your child has settled down in your family, you will be able to apply to the court for an Adoption Order. Once the order is made, all rights and responsibilities pass to you as adoptive parents.
After you have adopted
After you have adopted a child, we still provide training and long term support for you and your family. This can include counselling and financial help where appropriate as well as help telling your child about adoption.
East Sussex County Council