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Interested in adoption

Our Adoption Society

Interested in Adoption

Where possible, the Law states that children should be raised within their birth families. Where this is not possible, children may be placed for adoption.

While adoption is a means of meeting the wish for prospective adopters to become parents, the needs of the child will be paramount at all times.

Adoption can be very tiring, demanding and challenging. You will need endless love, energy and patience. But our adoptive parents repeatedly tell us that the challenges they face are soon replaced with the rewards and pleasure in seeing their child flourish and growing within their family.

There are 10 stages to the adoption process that are taken in order to achieve adoption.

Stage 1

Initial enquiry this is when you first contact us & chat with one of our social workers.

Stage 2

Initial assessment visit this is when one of our managers comes to visit you to tell you more about St Margaret’s and find out more about you.

Stage 3

Preparation classes this is when you attend a mandatory 3 day training course with us to learn all about adoption.  This helps us get to know you more & will help you to decide if you are going to apply with St Margaret’s.

Stage 4

Preparation classes this is when you attend a mandatory 3 day training course with us to learn all about adoption.  This helps us get to know you more & will help you to decide if you are going to apply with St Margaret’s.

Stage 5

Form F assessment/home study this process takes around 6 months & your social worker will meet with you regularly to get to know all about your past & present circumstances.  The home study covers a great deal of learning which will prepare you for becoming an adoptive parent.

Stage 6

Adoption panel this is when you attend St Margaret’s panel with a view to becoming an approved adopter.  Your social worker will make a recommendation to the panel & will support you through the process.

Stage 7

Post-panel/pre-placement after you are approved, we begin looking for your child or children.  There are a number of ways for you to be involved in this process, but it can take time.

Stage 8

Linking, matching of your child when a child or children have been identified you learn all about them & their background.  You will attend various meetings & if everyone is happy to proceed you will attend a Matching Panel with St Margaret’s support – to formalise the decision.

Stage 9

Introductions and placement of your child with a careful plan in place, this is when you meet your child or children and gradually get to know them over an intense period (up to 2 weeks) and then they move in with you.

Stage 10

Post placement/post adoption you are now a forever family – but the support continues intensively from St Margaret’s & you will have access to a range of services that will help in a variety of ways.  You will have support from St Margaret’s to navigate through the legal process of finalising your child’s adoption in Court.

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Supporting Children and Families Adoptions since 1955.

Start your Adotion Story today!