(pdf, 494KB)The adoption process
You may have been thinking about adopting a child for a long time, doing your own research; or you may have questions about the process, your suitability, or your circumstances. Take the first step and get in contact with us. We know it is a big step and some people can be concerned they are being assessed from the very start, so the team aim to make your initial contact with us as informal and friendly as possible - this is not a test!
Are you ready to take the first step?
What you can expect
Whether you complete our enquiry form, send us an email or call us, we know the first conversation you have with the team will be an important one for you. We’ll be interested in finding out:
- How much you know about adoption already.
- What you think you can offer a looked-after child.
- Your understanding of the needs an adopted child may have.
- What thought you have given to how you would meet these needs.
- The range of children you are considering adopting.
These questions are not designed to test you, they are so our team can understand how much you know, and what you have given consideration to, as it is very important to have a realistic picture of the children that generally need to be placed for adoption.
Information pack
We can send out our information pack to you, which includes:
- A guide to adoption in Richmond upon Thames.
- Information outlining the different stages of the process in more detail.
- Information on who can adopt.
- How we protect your information.
- An invitation to our next information evening, including a tear off slip which you can express your interest in attending.
Information evening
The information evening is a great opportunity to meet the adoption team and find out about the adoption process in Richmond. We’ll have:
- A short video about adoption.
- Adoption team members speaking about the different aspects of the adoption process.
- An adoptive parent who has been through the process with us, to answer any other questions you may have.
By the end of the evening our aim is for you to have enough information about adoption to be able to make a decision whether or not you wish to continue on the road to adoption with us. If so, you’ll be given a ‘preliminary information’ form to complete and return to us. This helps us arrange home visits and the next preparation group.
Initial home visit
Initial visits will be arranged with those families and individuals who seem most likely to meet with the needs of the children in care.
Preparation groups
These are a series of training sessions that aim to prepare you as fully as possible for children likely to be placed in your care. There are usually eight sessions over during which you will be introduced to everyone in the adoption team, your social worker and all other prospective adopters. Your group of prospective adopters will also be a valuable source of support.
The preparation groups look at information you need to know about the children and learning more about yourself and your expectations:
- Child development
- Talking to children about their past
- Identity
- How a sense of self is formed
- Attachment issues
- Coping with challenging behaviour
- The impact of adopting on the adopter
- Considering your own parenting style
Feedback
To inform our process and improve it for future prospective adopters and practitioners, we would be extremely grateful if you could spare a few minutes to complete the relevant questionnaire for you. Thank you.
Contact the Adoption team
Online
Call: 020 8891 7883
Email: adoption@richmond.gov.uk
Adoption and Permanency Team
42 York Street
Twickenham
TW1 3BW