Choosing an Adoption Agency. Why is agency licensing important? How do I choose a reputable agency? What questions should I ask my prospective adoption agency? What requirements does the agency have for prospective adoptive parents? How quickly do agency staff respond to questions or requests for information?
Is communication handled in person? By phone? By email? How often do agency staff communicate personal and program updates to prospective parents? What type of pre-adoption education does the agency provide? What does the agency offer in terms of post-adoption support services?
How long has the agency existed, and how many placements has it made? How many does it typically make in a year, for example? How many waiting families are there? What educational materials, books, websites, community organizations, etc. What fees does the agency charge, and what is the timeline for expected payment? Can the agency provide references from several families that have adopted through the agency? Can they produce references for the type of adoption you are considering?
If you are pursuing intercountry adoption, can the agency account for and explain its activities and available support in-country? What are the state laws under which the agency must operate? Remember… Do your homework. Call ALONE I have very few people to talk with about my infertility. No one understands. Everyone I know is pregnant or has children. Adoption agencies all have their own immediate needs and priorities, and being turned away by one does not necessarily mean you are unsuitable to be an adopter.
If you are unsure, give our information line a call and one of our advisers will talk you through your options. There is no standardised form to submit your Registration of Interest for the adoption process in England but there are some things that you can expect from each agency.
You will start by agreeing a Prospective Adopter Plan with the agency. The agency will then collect basic factual information from you such as:.
There are likely to be legal disclaimers for you to sign, including one that states you are not in the process of applying to be adopters with any other agency. Your application form will include permission to take up references and to request a medical report and a criminal background check DBS as well as contacting your local authority. The agency will probably want three written references, two of which will need to be from non family members. Any medical issues that arise from this report will be discussed with you, and sometimes further information will be sought.
The police check is simply to confirm that you have no convictions or cautions that would prevent you from being an adoptive parent. They can then work through any potential issues with you. For international adoptions, marriage requirements will vary depending on the country.
Single parents are asked to name a guardian who would step in as the parent should the adoptive parent be unable to continue to fulfill that responsibility. Some adoption agencies also require the naming of the guardian in a will. Though an income requirement is not usually specified, you will have to undergo an assessment to prove that you have the resources necessary to raise a child. The assessment will look over your income and assets, as well as proof of medical insurance.
Some states have residency requirements for Adoptive Parents which can range from 60 days to 1 year. Some will have exceptions for residency requirements if an Adoptive Parent is a member of the military or if they are looking to adopt a child with special needs.
A home study will determine whether or not the home is a safe, secure place for a child to live. The prospective Adoptive Parent may need to provide references regarding their interpersonal relationships and interactions, if any, with children. The references can be singles or couples. Some adoption agencies allow references from family members.
During the adoption home study and any agency applications, you will be asked to discuss your adoption and parenting plan. You need to live in a safe, well-maintained home, in a neighborhood conducive to family life. States differ on the requirement to have a separate bedroom for a child. Some agencies will ask prospective parents to complete Adoptive Parent Education.
This includes going over everything from the lifelong implications of adoption on the child and family, bonding and attachment, sharing adoption with the child and others, open or closed adoption, medical issues, academic issues, and emotional and developmental issues. International Adoptive Parents and foster care parents are often required to complete pre-adoption training. The adoption process for Adoptive Parents is tough because adoption agencies, professionals, states and countries want to ensure that the child is going to a safe place.
If you fail to comply with one or more of these requirements, you may lose your eligibility to adopt in your state or elsewhere.
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