The Adoption Process
Step 1
The first step is to either register your interest on this website,
by filling out the relevant form or to
contact one of the authorities or agencies in
the Contact us section.
You do not have to live in North London, but if you do and are
interested in adoption please contact any of the boroughs or agencies listed. We hold
regular information sessions, which are very useful for prospective adopters to attend.
If we cannot help you directly, we will guide you to another adoption agency that may
be better placed to help you with your enquiry.
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Step 2
Your allocated social worker will discuss your
details with their team colleagues and the manager in the adoption service. We will
decide, using a clear set of criteria, whether we are able to continue with your
application. If both you and the adoption service feel positive about your application,
we will ask you to formally apply. Each agency in the North London Adoption Consortium
follows an adoption assessment process. These differ slightly from one another, but
all follow government regulations. As a guide, an adoption assessment should take
between 6 - 8 months. It will include several checks such as Criminal Records Bureau,
medical and employment checks and references from people who know you, amongst others.
This is a standard process for everyone who has contact with children cared for away
from their birth family.
Step 3
The next step in the assessment process is taking part in an adoption preparation group.
The North London Adoption Consortium offers places on preparation groups that take place
regularly in one of the five boroughs in the consortium. Usually lasting between 3 and
5 days, the groups may be held over consecutive days or sometimes over a few weeks.
Preparation groups give you a good insight into the needs of children in care and
what adoption means for a child. The group is a chance to meet with other people
wanting to adopt and will give you an opportunity to learn together about adopting.
At the end of the group, we will offer you a feedback meeting to discuss how the
group went.
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Step 4
Once you have completed your preparation training a social worker will work with
you to you complete an assessment report, which is a standard form used by all adoption
agencies. It covers details about you, your family history and lifestyle. If you have
children they will also be involved in the report, as will other members of your family
or friends who are going to be involved with the child or children you adopt.
Step 5Once the assessment report is
completed you will be invited to attend an adoption panel. The panel is a legal
requirement of all adoption agencies to determine whether or not a person or family
can adopt.
Once the assessment report is completed you will be invited to attend an adoption panel.
The panel is a legal requirement of all adoption agencies to determine whether or not a
person or family can adopt. If you are approved as an adoptive parent, you will work
with your assessing social worker in finding a child. The agencies in The North
London Adoption Consortium place children at the centre of this activity. By working
together, the North London Adoption Consortium member boroughs are able to minimise
the amount of time children wait for the right family to come forward.
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For a more detailed description of the adoption process, please visit the websites
of each of the five boroughs that comprise the North London Adoption Consortium.
What is Adoption | Overseas Adoption |
Adoption Support | Adoption Leave & Pay
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