Adoption
Adoption is a means of providing a permanent alternative home for children unable to return to their birth parents.
It is a legal process, which transfers the parenting role and responsibilities of a child's birth parent to the adoptive parent.
If you are interested in becoming an adoptive parent you will be seen initially at your home, where details of your circumstances will be discussed and you will be told about the process for approval.
We will make checks with the police and other agencies and you will have a medical to ensure that there are no health issues that would affect you becoming a foster carer or adopter.
You will need to provide three referees. We will interview them to assess your suitability. When a full assessment starts you will attend preparation meetings and talk to others who have adopted children.
We aim to complete an assessment in no more than six months, at the end of which the Family Placement Social Worker will write a report for the Adoption Panel to consider your approval.
You will be kept informed of progress throughout and be able to read the report before it goes to the Adoption Panel and given the chance to comment on it and attend the panel if you wish.
The numbers of children who have been adopted via Liverpool has increased dramatically. To continue this positive trend we are always keen to hear from new families or individuals who are interested in adopting.
There are always single children and sibling groups who are waiting for families who we would like to find families for. We are particularly keen to hear from black families and individuals as we always try to find appropriately matched families for our children.
Liverpool has been at the forefront of providing additional support and services to our adopted children, their adoptive families and birth families.
For more information please view the:
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Additional Department for Education and Skills (DFES) Information