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#Adopting children

Adoption is the assumption of full legal and parental responsibility for a child; it is supported by an adoption order. granted through the Court.

An adoption order severs all legal ties with the birth family and transfers parental rights to the new adoptive family.

The child becomes a full member of the adoptive family, takes their surname and assumes the same rights and privileges as if they had been born to that family, including the right of inheritance.

Many children maintain contact with some members of their birth family. This may be letterbox contact with a birth parent, visits to a brother or sister who live elsewhere or some direct contact with other members of the birth family.

In every decision made about whether contact should continue, the child s safety and wellbeing are of paramount importance. Contact, and your views about it, will be a part of the discussion during the preparation, assessment and matching process.

Keeping links with birth family members can be very beneficial for some children and we ask you to be open minded about contact and to look at the individual child s needs.

Caring for a child where there is legal delay or uncertainty

A child cannot be placed for adoption until a decision has been made about the child's permanent care plan, or the birth parent has consented. Sometimes a child may first need to be placed with a family on a fostering basis while plans for his or her future are being made.

In some cases, when babies and children under 2 years of age are fostered, their foster family may be able to adopt them. This is commonly known as early placement or concurrent care.

Special guardianship

In England, some children who cannot live with their birth families need a secure, loving home throughout childhood and beyond without the legal link to their birth family being severed. Special guardianship is a legal option where the child is looked after by a new family but the birth parents retain parental responsibility, although it s extremely limited.

Contact us for more information on adopting with Barnardo's.