The Adopter’s Journey

The diagram above was kindly drawn for us by one of our (successful) adoptive parents and gives you a visual idea of the adoption process. We are indebted to her for explaining it so clearly and for her kindness in offering to do so, to help all prospective adopters on their adoption journey.

Adoption enquiries, applications and assessment

Once you have contacted us, we will phone you to have a discussion and then will send you an information pack.

It is advisable that you attend an adoption information session. These are listed in the events diary and on the main adoption page. Please let us know which day suits you.

If you wish to continue your adoption enquiry you need to complete and send us the progression form which is included in the information pack we will give you.

We will arrange a visit to you to find out more about you and ask you to complete a registration of interest form if adoption still feels right for you.

We will write to you to let you know whether we have accepted your registration of interest.

Finding the right child/ren for you

Your assessing social worker will continue to offer support as your link worker through to an Adoption Order being made. Your Prospective Adopter Report (PAR) helps us to match you with a suitable child or children. Your details will be circulated immediately to the other local authorities in Berkshire, and then to the National Adoption Register and Adoption Link. This maximises your opportunity to be matched at an early stage with a child.

Matching

The needs of any child awaiting an adoption placement will have been carefully assessed. Full information about any child you may wish to consider will be shared with you, to help you decide whether to go ahead.

The adoption panel and agency decision maker has to agree any proposed match, and then carefully planned introductions will take place over a period of time.

Adoption

Once a child is placed, we will continue to monitor and support the placement until an adoption order is made in court. The timescale for this depends on the child’s age and needs, plus any legal complexities. It is likely to take a minimum of six months.