After you have been approved to adopt
Adoption panel approval and registration
A report from the home study is presented to the adoption panel which is made up of people including social workers and independent members. You can attend this meeting with your social worker.
The panel makes a recommendation on whether you should be approved and the children and number you would be suited to care for.
You will receive a letter within 21 days to tell you whether your application has been successful. If you disagree with the decision, you can appeal within 28 days to the Director of Care & Learning.
Matching you with a child
You will be given background information about the chld. The birth parents are encouraged to be involved in the selection of the family for their child. The child will know that they have helped to choose the new parents. It may also help the birth parents feel that they have done everything in their power to give the child a secure future.
Support
If you are approved as an adoptive parent you will have a social worker who specialises in adoption to give you advice and make sure you are coping.