It’s a huge milestone in your life when you decide to become an adoptive parent and you’ll no doubt have an abundance of questions swimming around your head; we’ve compiled a step-by-step guide to the adoption process in wales to answer some of your key questions and show you exactly what you can expect:
Step One: Making the Decision
Now, you may not consider this as a starting point for the process, but by deciding to look further into the option of adopting, you are actually taking your very first step – and a very important step it is too.
Here you will consult with your partner if there are two of you adopting, or you may speak to family and friends to get their input.
Step Two: Contact an Agency
Your next step in the adoption process is to contact an agency to express your interest. The agency will be able to talk you through everything that’s involved, and answer any questions that you may have there and then. You’ll receive an information pack and you may also be invited along to meet other potential adoptive parents which can be a great help, and a great comfort, to many.
Step Three: A Home Visit
If after gathering more information and meeting with the agency, you want to proceed, then the next step will take place when someone from the agency comes to visit your home. This is another opportunity to get to know the agency better, and to get the answers to any other questions you may have. By now, you’ll understand a lot more about adoption so naturally your questions may have changed considerably.
Step Four: Application and Assessment
Understandably, the assessment process is extremely thorough, and as such, it can take up to six months to complete. There is also much involved at this stage, including:
- Preparation Classes: These give advice and guidance on the adoption process and the effect it will have on your life. Your expectations will be explored and you will be able to meet with others who are at the same stage of the adoption process as you.
- Social Worker Visits: You will receive regular visits from your social worker as they aim to assess your suitability for a role as an adoptive parent.
- Providing References
- Criminal Background Checks: A background check will be conducted to ensure you haven’t been convicted of any serious crimes.
- A full medical examination
Once you have been fully assessed, your social worker will send the report to an adoption panel who will be able to feed recommendations back to your chosen agency.
Step Five: Matching You Up
Perhaps the most exciting, and nerve-wracking step of the adoption process is step five. This is where, after a successful assessment, you will be matched up with a child that is deemed suitable for you. If you are happy with the match, then a decision will officially be made to finalise the process.
After this stage, your new family life can begin.
Are you currently considering becoming an adoptive parent? Get in touch today with your questions – we’d love to help you out.