Agency Adoption

Agency Adoption

What is Agency Adoption?

Agency Adoption is where an Agency assist prospective adopters to adopt children who for whatever reason cannot be raised by their biological parents.

Agencies have experienced trained Social Workers who are able to support, assess and guide prospective adopters through the process.  The Agencies will be able to offer training sessions, information meetings and help match the prospective adopter once assessed as suitable to a child. They will also offer support to the adopted child In their new placement and provide support to birth parents and birth families.

Who do I need to contact for an Agency Adoption?

Every Local Authority has an Adoption Agency but there are also Regional Adoption Agencies and Voluntary Adoption Agencies.

You can contact any Agency which covers your local area and you do not have to use the closest Agency or Local Authority to you.

You can contact as many agencies as you wish in the initial stages. Once you have been approved, you can only formally apply to adopt a child with one agency.

What is the process?

You will firstly need to contact Adoption Agencies to discuss your matter with them and they will advise you of the next steps and what is required. Usually, the Agency will then conduct a number of checks and references before undertaking an assessment of you. The assessment process is thorough and can be lengthy and you will usually be assigned a Social Worker throughout this process. Either during the assessment or following completion of the assessment, training will be given to prospective adopters to gain a greater understanding of adoption.

If you are approved, your Agency Social Worker will begin the process of matching you with the right child.

After adoption, you will be given full, parental responsibility for the child and this continues throughout the child’s minority. Adoption will also terminate the biological parent’s legal relationship with the child.

Do I need a Solicitor?

You do not need a Solicitor’s assistance with the Agency Adoption process as the Agency will provide advice and assistance throughout. If however, you would like to discuss and obtain advice surrounding the legal consequences of adoption and the options involved, our experienced family law team would be happy to assist. Duncan Lewis Solicitors have a large team with extensive experience in matters surrounding adoption.

How will the matter be funded?

An initial interview with a fixed fee for legal advice can be offered. Once the case has been assessed it may be possible to offer a hourly rate or a further fixed fee but you will be advised of the funding options in advance.

Duncan Lewis adoption lawyers have a successful track record in advising clients on adoption – and Duncan Lewis is ranked by the Legal 500 2014 for its Family & Matrimonial work.

Duncan Lewis is recommended by The Legal 500 legal directory for its specialism in all aspects of family and children law nationwide and cross-border. The Legal 500 applauds our family and child care solicitors to be a team of lawyers that are ‘friendly professionals who take their time to understand your case’. Duncan Lewis team includes Advanced Members of the Law Society’s Family Panel, and members of the Law Society Children Panel.

For expert legal advice on all Adoption matters, contact Duncan Lewis Adoption Lawyers on 020 7923 4020.