How long will it take?
We will be able to consider taking up your formal application once you have attended a preparation course.
Our target is six months from the time your formal application is received to being approved as an adopter. South Gloucestershire has a duty to make sure that you can offer a safe and caring environment where children will feel welcomed, cared for and valued. For this reason we ask you to go through a process of preparation, during which we assess your skills and abilities as a potential adoptive parent.
Initial visit
If you are interested in becoming an adopter please return the initial contact form and a social worker will telephone you and arrange an initial visit. This will help us to explore whether adoption may be right for you and your family and answer any initial questions you may have.
Information form
If there is agreement to proceed you will be sent an information form, which you will need to complete and return to us.
Attending a preparation course
Once your information form has been received we will start undertaking some of the checks as outlined below and provided they show nothing of concern you will then be invited to the next available preparation course.
Various checks
By law we have to undertake rigorous checks to ensure the suitability of our adopters to look after vulnerable children and young people. These checks include:
- A Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check on all people in the household who are over 18 and any people who will be supporting you, such as relatives and babysitters
- Local Authority checks will be undertaken
- Child Health & Education checks will be carried out on any school-age children in the household
- Written current or most recent employer's reference for each applicant. Additional references from any previous employer where there was contact with children will be obtained
- An adoption medical test will need to be completed and your GP will charge you for this
- Three personal references - we will interview at least two of the referees who must have known you for at least 5 years (but not be related to you). Please also be aware that we require a range of references, including from people who have known you since young adulthood. This will be discussed further with you at the time of your initial visit
- Interviews will be carried out with any other adults in the household
- Checks will be made with any ex-partners. This will be discussed with you at your initial visit
- We may interview significant members of your family
Home study and assessment report
A social worker will visit you on several occasions and get to know you and your family. They will also visit your referees. For couples most meetings will be joint but the social worker will meet with you each individually at least once. Any children in the family will also be involved in the process as far as possible.
The home study is an opportunity to discuss what your hopes and expectations are as parents and how that fits with the children who need new families. It helps us to understand how you have coped with sadness, difficulties or stress in your life as this helps us and you to anticipate how you might cope with a child who will also have upset and angry feelings. It will also be helpful to hear about how you have dealt with past problems.
Your social worker will carry out interviews with your referees, other family members and contact any ex-partners after discussion with you. Your social worker will then complete a British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) Prospective Adopter Report which will be shared with you to make sure it is accurate and fair.