Adoption

For those who wish to grow their family through adoption, the adoption process can be a hugely daunting prospect. Our specialist Tier 1 Legal 500 family team, including Resolution Accredited Specialists and members of the Law Society’s Family Panel, have experience in helping families through every step of the journey. We support client’s every step of the way from initial legal advice to advice relating to the post adoption support you should receive.

The first steps for a potential adopter is to apply to a local authority or an adoption agency in order to be assessed and approved as an adopter. The assessment process is often rigorous and can take several months to complete. As well as a full medical examination, police checks and preparation classes for the prospective adopter, the process also involves a report being prepared by a social worker. The report is submitted to an adoption panel, which then makes the final decision of whether the person being assessed will be approved as an adopter.

After the child has lived with the potential adopters, a court application can be made for an Adoption Order. This order will end the parental rights of the birth parent and transfer them to the adopters. At this stage the adopters become the legal parents of the child, as if the child was born to them.

It is essential for the long term success of an adoption that there is the right support in place to assist with any issues that relate to that particular placement, whether that be the post adoption contact between the child and their birth family or support for the particular needs of the child.

Please note that the information on this page relates to adoptions in England and Wales and not international adoptions.