Becoming an adoptive parent

Below is a 'step-by-step' account showing the typical sequence of the adoption process in Westminster.

• Step 1. Express an interest. When you have contact our New Families Team, we will send you an information pack within 5 working days.
• Step 2. Attend an information evening and/or
• Step 3. Have an individual information meeting with a social worker
• Step 4. Attend a 3 day Preparation Group to help you understand the key issues for adopters.
• Step 5. Formal application allowing us to start statutory checks on you and any members of  your household aged 18 or over.
• Step 6. We will complete a home study assessment with you and write a prospective adopters report. We aim to complete your assessment within 8 months of receiving your application.
• Step 7. The adoption and permanence panel  will consider your application. The panel has an independent chair, and panel members will have considered your application in advance. The panel will make recommendations about your suitability to adopt and you will be informed immediately. The recommendation is passes to the agency who will make a decision, within 7 working days, whethe to approve you as an adopter.
• Step 8. Identifying a potential child. How long this takes varies for each adopter and can be several months.
• Step 9. The adoption and permanence panel recommend the 'match' . You will be informed immediately by the panel of its recommendation. This is passed to the adoption agenc who will decide within 7 days whether to approve you.
• Step 10. Introductions - when you and the child meet. We will organise a series of meetings between  you and the child over the course of several days or weeks, to help you and the child get to know each other. You will have a Placement Planning meeting to acrees this introduction plan.
• Step 11. The child comes to live with you. This happens once you have completed your introduction plan. Your social worker will be available to offer support and advice, and the child's social worker will continue to visit until an Adoption Order has been made.
• Step 12. Adoption order application. You can apply to the court for an adoption order after the child has lived with you for ten weeks. Social workers will prepare reports for the court; the reports will be confidential.
• Step 13. Adoption order made. Once reports have been submitted you will be told the hearing date. If the Adoption Order is made you will become the child's legal parent/s and will hold all rights and responsibilities previously held by the birth parents.

If you would like to apply or have any queries about your eligibility and the sort of children who currently need families, contact us now and we will be happy to give you more information.