The Adoption Process

1. The first step?

Wherever you live we are interested in hearing from you!

If you think you have the time, patience, humour and energy to adopt a child and give them the loving home they need and deserve, please contact one of the authorities or agencies shown. Go to the Who are we? section and click on the relevant website.

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. If we cannot help you directly, we will guide you to another adoption agency, who may be better placed to help you with your enquiry.

2. Being assessed to become an adoptive parent

Each agency in the North London Adoption Consortium has 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, your GP, social services and The NSPCC, and references from people who know you, amongst others. These checks are to keep the children in our care safe.

3. Training and preparation groups

Once you have had a visit from a social worker they can make a recommendation that you take 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. Many people really enjoy their preparation group training, as they are able to share their feelings with other people who are also thinking about adoption as well as meet people who have adopted already.

4. The Assessment Report

Once you have completed your preparation training a social worker will work with you to you complete an assessment report. The assessment report 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.

5. Being approved as an adoptive parent

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 you will then 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 is able to minimise the amount of time children wait for the right family to come forward.