Inter Country Adoption

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This procedure applies to the assessment and approval of applicants resident in the UK who wish to adopt a child who is resident abroad; it also covers the procedures to be followed by the Adoption Agency in relation to the placement of a child resident abroad with approved adopters.

For procedures in relation to the placement of a child resident in the UK with adopters resident overseas, see Placement for Adoption Procedure.

RELEVANT GUIDANCE

Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund

Adopting a Child from Overseas, GOV.UK

1. Introduction

Enquiries and applications for overseas adoption can only be accepted from residents of the local authority's area.

Applications will be accepted from couples or single people.

Applicants will be expected to identify one country from which they wish to adopt and should have a good understanding of that country's culture and be able to demonstrate that understanding. Applicants will be expected to bring any adopted child up in the knowledge that he/she is adopted and to preserve and promote the child's cultural and ethnic origin.

There is a charge for the assessment process for applicants.

The Adoption Agency do not undertake inter-country assessments and this work will be undertaken by an Adoption Agency specialising in inter-country adoption, The Adoption Agency has a contract with the ICA (Intercounty Adoption Agency) to undertake this work on the Adoption Agency’s behalf.

2. Responding to Requests for Information

All requests for information about inter country adoption made by telephone or letter will be responded to promptly. Staff in the Adoption agency will establish that the caller lives in the local authority area and if so, send an Adoption Information Pack relating to both domestic and advise the caller to look at the website with the detailed information regarding inter country adoption from the Inter Country Adoption within 5 working days. An Initial Enquiry Form should be completed in relation to each enquiry received and Information Pack sent.

The Information Pack will include information about the nature and implications of adoption, the procedures involved in adopting a child domestically.

Any caller wanting to consider inter country adoption will be spoken to by a social worker from the Advice and Support Line and advised of the process and the costs involved and to seek potential legal advice. During this conversation the social worker will discuss domestic adoption and the children who are waiting in the Adopt South West region and nationwide to consider their expressed matching criteria. The information will also relate to the preparation and support services available to adopters (made available before, during and after adoption), including addresses and other contact points of other agencies that may be able to assist the prospective adopters particularly in relation to any specific requirements of different countries, for example the Department for Education website.

Those receiving the Information Pack will be asked to contact the Adoption Agency if they wish to know more and proceed further.

If the applicant wishes to proceed with inter country adoption, the Adoption Agency will provide advice and guidance in how they can pursue this. The details of the ICA is on the Adopt SW website. The Agency undertaking the assessment will be responsible for providing all the relevant training and undertaking all the required checks and references.