If you are approved to adopt by Richmond but adopt a child from another agency

In Richmond, we aim to recruit adopters who will be able to adopt children who are in care in the Borough. The number and needs of children waiting to be adopted changes all the time and sometimes it is more appropriate for prospective adopters to be matched with children from other local authorities.

When this happens, something called an Interagency Agreement is entered into.

Adoption support is provided by the agency that places a child with you for three years after an adoption order is made. After the first three years, support is provided by the local authority in which you live. We provide support to adoptive families that we approve before and during the adoption process and for one year after the child is placed, in addition to the adoption support provided by the placing agency. After this time, the agencies can negotiate an agreement for this support to continue if it is appropriate.