Ten steps to adoption
Adoption is a way of providing a new family for children who cannot be brought up by their own parents. Somerset County Council currently look after around 460 children and for those who are suitable for adoption, it is crucial to us that we match the right family with the right child.
Somerset County Council is an adoption agency. Anyone who wants to adopt a child needs to go through a series of checks before they are approved to adopt. Once this is complete the search for a new child can begin.
The adoption process is very thorough and takes place over a number of months. This gives us chance to make sure you are suitable for adopting a child and for you to be sure you are ready to make the commitment.
It can take years to decide to adopt, seconds to take the first step. Start your ten steps today.
Step 1 – Initial enquiry
Give us a call or apply for an information pack on our website. The pack is designed to answer your questions about adoption so you can find out if you are eligible and decide if it is the right time for you to adopt.
Step 2 – We will call you back
After you have received your information pack a member of our team will give you a call. This is the chance for you to ask any questions you might have and we will invite you to come along to an information session.
Step 3 – Come and meet us
Information sessions are held every six weeks across the county and are a great way for you to discuss how adoption works and meet adopters who will tell you about their experiences.
Step 4 – Tell us you're interested
By this stage you will have hopefully decided if adoption is for you. You can let us know you want to proceed by filling in an Expression of Interest form.
Step 5 – Personal Interview
After we have received your form we will come and visit you so we can find out more about you and your personal situation.
Step 6 – Apply to adopt
Once you have decided you want to continue and we are happy to accept an application from you, there is the matter of some paper work to complete.
Step 7 – We will visit you at home
This is our chance to come and see you in your own environment, collect your application form and begin the statutory checks.
Step 8 – Training
Looking after a child/children can be challenging at the best of times. Many of the children who come into our care and need new families have complex needs. Our training sessions have been designed to prepare you for any difficult situations that may arise and start the support process Somerset County Council’s adoption team offer new families.
Step 9 – Are you ready to adopt?
The assessment process can be the most nerve-wracking time in the adoption process. Children in care are vulnerable and as many have had unstable homes in the past we need to be 101% sure you are suitable and ready to commit to adopting a child.
Step 10 – Adoption Panel
Following your assessment, a report will be taken to the adoption panel for approval. Once approved, the adoption team will start working to match you with a child or children.
Got a question about adoption? Check out our FAQ’s.
Have a question? There are lots of ways to get in touch... simply request a call-back, contact us on freephone 0800 587 9900 or email us at childrens@somerset.gov.uk.