Adoption

What is adoption?

Adoption is a process which allows someone other than the child's birth father and mother to become their parents. It is a legal procedure in which all the parental rights and responsibilities are transferred to the adopters.

• What is the need in Aberdeenshire for families for children?
• Who can adopt?
• How do I find out more?
• What happens if I wish to proceed?
• What happens next?
• Aims of the Adoption service
• Representations and complaints

 

What is the need in Aberdeenshire for families for children?

Adoption is very different from how it used to be: very few young babies are available for adoption, and there is a need for secure and stable adoptive homes for children of all ages. Our greatest need is beyond babyhood, particularly for family groups of two or more children, and occasionally for children who have a physical or learning disability. Many of the children we place will exhibit challenging behaviour.

We are particularly seeking to recruit families for children in the 5-8 age range.

Prospective adopters should be aware that many of the children we seek to place are in complicated legal situations, which may take some time to resolve.

There is now much more openness in adoption: where possible, the birth parents and adoptive parents will meet before the placement, and the child may have contact with their birth parents, sisters, brothers or grandparents throughout their childhood, possibly face to face or by letter.

 

Who can adopt?

We promote non-discriminatory practices in all our services and seek individuals or couples from a variety of backgrounds who can make a permanent commitment to a child or children who need a new family for life.

Applicants should normally be at least 23 years of age, single or married. Couples may be:

• married
• in a civil partnership
• living together as if husband and wife or civil partners in an enduring family relationship

Our Adoption Policy requires that couples should have lived together for at least three years. Someone who is married or in a civil partnership may apply on their own if:

• their spouse cannot be found
• they are permanently separated and living apart
• because of ill health their spouse is incapable of applying.

There is no upper age limit, although if an Adoption Order is applied for in Scotland, the Sheriff must consider whether the age difference between the adopters and the child is normal. Adopters need to have sufficient health and vigour to be able to bring up a child at least until early adulthood, so age is one of the factors to be considered.

If you have a child or children, our practice is to place children below the age of the children already in the family and to make sure there is a gap of at least three years between the youngest child and a child placed for adoption.

 

How do I find out more?

Our first step is normally to send an information pack. If you wish to receive a pack please:

Email: adoption@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or
phone us on 01467 625555

When you register your interest with us, a Social Worker will offer an informal discussion, give you information including the current needs of children in Aberdeenshire and help you to consider what adoption will mean for you. We hope this might help you to decide whether you wish to proceed further.

The National Care Standards for adoption agencies set out what you can expect from the service you receive from us.

 

What happens if I wish to proceed?

You will be asked to attend a Preparation for Adoption training course.

The next training may run in November 2010, based in Aberdeen, but this is dependant on our needs at that time. The training will focus on the needs of children aged 5 - 10 who need permanent care. If you have an interest in attending, please register your interest with us so that we can invite you to the training.

We ask that all applicants attend our adoption preparation course. The course offers the opportunity to learn more about adoption.

The training includes:

• the reasons why children become available for adoption
• understanding children's growth and development
• the impact of difficult early life experiences on the child's ability to develop an attachment to their new family
• medical issues
• legal issues
• the ongoing support and information that adopted children need about birth families
• parenting issues
• an opportunity to meet with adoptive parents, adopted people, birth parents, and usually someone who has adopted from another country

The focus of the course is preparation for adoptive parenthood.

After the course the Social Worker will supply you with an application form, which you should complete and return to us.

Checks of Police and Social Work records are always carried out and anyone in the household who is over 16 years of age. If you have any convictions, then it is wise to discuss these at an early stage.

A medical check is requested to make sure you are fit and well enough to care for children.

You will be asked to provide the names of referees who can comment on your suitability to care for children. A health and safety check of your home will be done as well as any other checks relevant to your situation, which may include an employment reference.

A Social Worker will visit you and your family over a period of time to assess your suitability, and complete a Home Study Report in partnership with you. The whole process, including training, might take up to a year.

 

What happens next?

The Home Study Report will be presented to the our Permanence Panel. You will be invited to attend part of the meeting to discuss your application. The Panel's recommendation is passed to the Head of Social Work (Child Care) who will make a decision within 14 days.

 

Aims of the Adoption Service

We are registered with the Care Commission as an adoption agency.

• Adoption Service Aims and Objectives

 

Representations and complaints

Whilst it is our intention to provide a good service, if you have any issues regarding representation or complaint, please ask for the leaflet Have Your Say: Compliments, Comments and Complaints. The leaflet is available from all Social Work Offices.

As our Fostering and Adoption Service is regulated by the Care Commission, you may also make a complaint to:

The Care Commission,
Johnston House, Rose Street,
Aberdeen,
AB10 1UD

Tel: 01224 793870