The process

We want to give you every chance of success when you apply to become an adoptive parent. The process is fairly long and understandably thorough but the rewards are huge.

The first step is to get in touch with the Adoption Team and let us know that you’re interested. We’ll send you an information pack and then one of our Social Workers will come and see you. This visit will allow you to ask lots of questions and will also help us to see if you have the time and space to take on the sorts of children we are looking to find homes for.

If the visit goes well, you’ll be invited to attend a training and preparation course. This will cover a wide range of important subjects and will give you the opportunity to meet other parents who are looking to adopt.

These courses will be informal and won’t involve any tests. Run by Social Workers, Foster Carers or Adoptive Parents they’ll provide you with an opportunity to think how adoption might be for you and whether you want to take the next step forward.

This will be followed by a period of home study. For a few months, rarely more than four, one of our Social Workers will visit you regularly and help you put together a full report about your life and what you have to offer. You’ll be fully involved in the creation of this report and can even write parts yourself if you want.

You’ll be able to read and comment upon the report when it’s finished. Then the report, along with your feedback will go to our Adoption and Permanence Panel. The Panel will include adoptive parents and social workers, you’ll be warmly encouraged to attend and participate in any discussions. Following this a recommendation will be made to TACT IAS’s decision maker, who has the final say.