How hard is it to adopt a baby in the UK?

Adopting a baby in the UK is a detailed and structured process designed to protect the best interests of the child. It is not straightforward to adopt a child, as there are certain assessments, checks and legal documentation involved. Overall, the adoption approval process usually takes around 6 months. 

Who can adopt a child?

Both birth parents generally need to agree to the adoption unless they cannot be found, are incapable of giving consent due to a mental disability, or the child would be put at risk if not adopted. To adopt a child in the UK, you must be at least 21 years old. Prospective adopters can be single, married, in a civil partnership, an unmarried couple (same-sex or opposite-sex), or the partner of the child’s parent. Different rules apply for private adoptions and adoptions of looked-after children.

Residency requirements state that you do not need to be a British citizen to adopt a child in the UK. However, you (or your partner, if you’re a couple) must have a fixed and permanent home in the UK, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. Additionally, you (and your partner, if you’re a couple) must have lived in the UK for at least one year before starting the application process.

What is the adoption process?

The adoption assessment is a crucial part of the process to ensure that prospective parents are suitable for adoption. This includes attending local preparation classes that provide advice on the impact of adoption, having multiple visits from a social worker to assess your suitability, undergoing a police check to ensure no serious offences, and providing the names of three referees for personal references. Additionally, a full medical examination is required to ensure you are physically fit to adopt. Even if you’re adopting a child you’ve been fostering, you still need to go through the assessment and approval process.

Once the social worker completes the assessment, the report is sent to an independent adoption panel consisting of experienced individuals in adoption. The panel makes a recommendation to the adoption agency based on your assessment, and you can attend the panel meeting to ask questions and provide additional information. The adoption panel then sends its recommendation to the agency, which decides if you’re suitable to adopt.

Once approved, your agency will begin the process of finding a child for you and explain how the process works and your involvement in it. If you live in Wales, your agency can refer you to the National Adoption Service for Wales, which holds details of children across Wales needing adoption. If an adoption agency decides you cannot adopt, you can challenge their decision in writing, apply to the Independent Review Mechanism for a case review, or contact other adoption agencies, although you will need to start the process again.

To make the adoption legal, you need to apply for an adoption court order, which grants you parental rights and responsibilities for the child. For a child already living with you following a court placement order (post-placement adoption), you can apply online. For all other types of adoption (such as stepchild or international adoption), you must apply by post.

How Can GloverPriest Help?

At GloverPriest, we provide friendly and transparent legal advice. If you would like further advice on adoption, please don’t hesitate to speak to one of our expert lawyers today. Complete our enquiry form.

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