Who can adopt?

• A couple who are married, in a civil partnership or living together

• A single person

• People of any religious denomination or none

• People of any racial or cultural background

• Those who are wishing to become parents for the first time

• Those who already have birth or adopted children and want to parent again

Who are the children?

• Some are babies and very young children

• Some children are older and have started school

• Some have a brother or sister and need to live together

What is the process?

• Make an initial enquiry - CONTACT us by using the Contact Form or by calling 028 9069 1133 to talk to one of our professional and experienced Social Workers, about adopting in Northern Ireland.

• Have an initial interview - We will explore with you your potential to offer a safe, loving and committed family home through adoption.

• Make an application - You will be allocated a Social Worker to undertake your Assessment and support you through the process. Your social worker can meet with you either in the Agency office or in your home, and will meet you individually and together (if you are a couple).

• Have an assessment - You will be allocated a Social Worker to undertake your Assessment and support you through the process. The Agency will also undertake the necessary Social Services, Police and and Medical checks and will take up references.

• Go on a preparation course - During your Assessment, you will attend a Preparation to Adopt course to help you think about the real implications of adopting, meet other people on the adoption journey and hear from people who have already adopted in Northern Ireland.

• Attend Adoption Panel - Your Adoption Assessment will usually take 6-9 months, after which your Social Worker will produce a report for the Adoption Panel. You will have the chance to read this and also to attend the Adoption Panel.

• Matching - Once you are approved to adopt, we will look for a child/children to be matched with you. Family Care places children with adoptive families throughout Northern Ireland on behalf of all five HSC Trusts. We occasionally place children for Local Authorities in other parts of the United Kingdom.

Testimonials