Supporting adopters during coronavirus.
A message from the team:
Despite the very uncertain times we are now in, we know we have to do everything we can to avoid any delay for those children who need adoptive families.
To that end, we are still very much open and we welcome enquiries and subsequent Registrations of Interests.
We are adhering to Government guidelines and the vast majority of our staff are working from home. However, we are still undertaking initial visits, albeit virtually, and will give you all the advice you need to feel comfortable with the technology we are using
About adoption
Adoption is a great way to make a positive difference to a child's life by providing a happy, loving and stable home and family, where they can grow and thrive. You have the chance to change the life of a child in care by becoming an adoptive parent.
When you adopt a child you take on all the responsibilities and rights for the child that the birth parents had; you are the child's permanent parent.
We try to find the right family for all children who need to be placed for adoption. We greatly value our adopters and do our best to make the adopting experience as clear and straightforward as possible. We know that taking the first steps to becoming an adopter can be very emotional. Our friendly and knowledgable staff are here to support you throughout the process.
For more information call us on 01522 554040 or book in to one of our information events.
As well as mainstream adoption, there are other types of adoption:
Foster to adopt
Fostering for adoption is a scheme for children who are in care and likely to be adopted, but who still have a chance of being reunited with their birth family. This early permanence option provides the best opportunity for very young children to be with their potential adopters from the earliest point possible. There’s lots to consider when you foster to adopt and it’s not always possible, but talk to us and we can help you understand if this could be an option for you.
Step-parent adoption
To find out more, call the Local Authority for the area you live in and they can guide you through the process.
Intercountry adoption
Intercountry adoption is the process of adopting a child from overseas. Here at Family Adoption Links we do not provide an intercountry adoption service directly but can signpost you to people who can help.
Who can adopt?
People from all walks of life can apply to become adoptive parents and there are children waiting right now for someone like you to share their lives with. Most people will be eligible to adopt, but there are some criteria. Have a look and if you are unsure if you would be eligible to adopt, please get in touch.
To adopt a child you must:
- be aged 21 or over
- have no criminal cautions or convictions for violence, offences against children, or sexual offences against adults
- live in the UK (you don’t have to be a British citizen, but you do need a right to remain).
Our adopters are:
- married, single, in a civil partnership, living with a partner, divorced or widowed
- of any sexual orientation or gender identity
- of any religion or no religion
- employed or unemployed
- a home owner or a tenant
- with or without children already
- any ethnicity
- able bodied or disabled
The adoption journey
Deciding to become an adoptive parent is the first step on an exciting and life-changing journey.
Our aim is to have adopters ready to start being matched with a child within six months of application.
Enquiry and Adoption Information Sessions
As well as attending an Adoption Information Session, we will contact you to discuss the next steps for you. This may be to arrange a convenient time for one of our social workers to visit you virtually or at home.
The next step is for you to complete a Registration of Interest form. As soon as we receive this back we will contact you within five working days to confirm if you can progress to the next stage.
Assessment Stage I
You are building up your childcare knowledge and experience as well as attending your adopter preparation training where we will run through further checks and references.
Assessment Stage 2
Your supervising social worker will work with you to complete a detailed report about you, your background, lifestyle, family and your childcare experience.
Adoption Panel
You and your supervising social worker will attend an Adoption Panel where a recommendation will be made about your approval as an adopter.
Matching and Linking
Once approved we will carefully consider our children and the best fit for your family. A report will be prepared and you will return to Adoption Panel to have the match with the child agreed. If agreed you can then start introductions with your child. When the time is right your child will move in with you. Your family will be fully supported by your supervising social worker and your child’s social worker throughout.
Adoption Order
This is a very special day for all parents.
An order of the Court will give you full parental rights making the child a full member of your family.
You have given your child or children a loving and secure family.
Post Adoption Support
Many new parents like to continue with the support they receive from Family Adoption Links.
We provide an ongoing range of services including learning, training, counselling, and adoption community meet ups, and play sessions.
Our friendly and experienced post adoption support team will always help you. From a quick question to organising support, please call on the relevant number listed below.
Contact us
Many people choose to adopt through an organisation based near their home, however all Family Adoption Links partners take applications from anyone living in and around our region.
To ask any questions about adopting a child with one of our partner organisations or to find out more about how to start to your adoption journey, please call us on 01522 554040 or click here to complete a web enquiry - our experienced and friendly staff will be happy to help.
For all Post Adoption Support queries contact your local office below
North Lincolnshire
Phone: 01724 297024
Lincolnshire and Rutland
Phone 01522 554056
Email: adoptionsupporthelpline@lincolnshire.gov.uk
Leicester County
Phone: 0116 3051126
Email: Adoption Support AdoptionSupport@leics.gov.uk
Leicester City
Phone: 0116 4546540
Email: Post-Adoption-CFST-Duty@leicester.gov.uk
(duty open Mon-Thurs 10-4)
Find out more
For dates and to book onto an event near you:
About us
We are a regional adoption partnership covering Leicester City, Rutland County, Leicestershire County, Lincolnshire County and North Lincolnshire Councils who have come together as a regional adoption agency to support children, those looking to adopt and families who have already adopted.
Our partners have a long history of working together to deliver high quality adoption services for adoptive families and children in their areas. Adoption is an important step and we are here to support you every step of the way. Our partners have a good track record of successfully bringing children and adults together into loving families.
By working closely together, our partners can more effectively work with adopters to find the best matches for children across the region.
There are many children needing to be adopted across our region and we are here to help every one of them to find a loving family.
Many people choose to adopt through an organisation within reasonable travelling distance of their home for training, meetings, introductions etc, but any Family Adoption Links partner will be able to help and advise you. They have trained professionals waiting to help you to start your adoption journey, so please get in touch for a chat.