Overview
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ADOPTION
Adopting children can be an amazing way to build or extend your family, as well as providing a home for children who need stability. However, there is a meticulous adoption process you will need to go through and several legal issues that can arise in connection with adoption. Having the right legal advice and support is therefore essential.
Rosie Bracher Solicitors have extensive experience in adoption law, having helped a wide range of families to deal with everything from adoption applications and assessments to parental rights, birth parents’ rights and alternatives to adoption.
We regularly work on everything from straightforward matters, such as step-parents adopting their step-children, to the most complicated and controversial issues, such as dealing with adoption challenges from a child’s birth parents. With our experience and guidance, we can assist you successfully to negotiate all these issues, making adoption as smooth and straightforward as possible.
To find out more about the adoption process or to start adoption proceedings, please contact us
Becoming an approved adopter
The first step in the adoption process is to become an approved adopter. There are two stages to this process and it usually takes approximately six months to complete.
Stage 1
The first thing you will need to do is register your interest in becoming an adopter with a Registration of Interest Form. You will then usually need to attend an adopter preparation group to learn more about the adoption process and meeting the needs of the adopted child/children, as well as undertaking training and preparation so you are ready to become an adoptive parent to the child/children.
You will also need to undergo background checks (CRB) and reference checks to ensure you are suitable to be an adoptive parent.
Overall, this first stage usually takes approximately two months to complete.
Stage 2
This involves a more in-depth assessment of your suitability and readiness to adopt. You will usually meet with a social worker several times, at the end of which they will produce a Prospective Adopters Report (PAR). This will be presented to the local Adoption Panel which will make the final decision on whether you are eligible to adopt. If the Adoption Panel approves you as an adopter, you can then begin the process of finding the right child or children for you.
To find out more about the adoption process or to start adoption proceedings, please contact us
How long does it take to adopt a child?
While the process of being an approved adopter usually takes up to around six months, you then need to find the right child or children and there is no set time frame for this.
Before an application to adopt can be made, the child or children must have lived with the prospective adopter(s) for a specified period of time. The length of time depends on the identity of the prospective adopter(s) and the circumstances in which the prospective adoption has come about.
An Adoption Order may not be made unless the Court is satisfied that the adoption agency or local authority has had sufficient opportunity to see the child or children with the prospective adopter(s) in the home environment.
Can you adopt step-children?
It is possible for a step-parent to adopt their step-child or step-children, but the consent of all people with parental responsibility would normally be required.
If someone with parental responsibility refuses permission for the adoption, you would likely need to go to court or use alternative dispute resolution to resolve the matter.
Can birth parents oppose an Adoption Order?
Should a parent wish to oppose an application for an Adoption Order, the Court’s permission is required before such an application to oppose can be made. A sufficient change of circumstances must be shown, and the Court will, in exercising its discretion, consider the prospect of success in opposing the adoption and the potential impact of the child or children in question.
Only a parent or guardian with parental responsibility for a child can oppose an application for an Adoption Order. Those without parental responsibility (for example, wider family members, friends, or unmarried fathers who have not obtained parental responsibility) would need to apply under the CA 1989 for permission to apply for a Child Arrangements Order in order to oppose the application.
To find out more about the adoption process or to start adoption proceedings, get in touch with Ramin on 01271 314 904.
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