First FOR ADOPTION
THE NUMBER OF SAME- SEX COUPLES ADOPTING CHILDREN IN ENGLAND HAS DOUBLED IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS. BUT WITH MORE THAN 4,000 CHILDREN STILL WAITING TO BE ADOPTED, THE NEED FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS REMAINS AS ACUTE AS EVER.
First4Adoption – the national adoption information service – welcomes enquiries from anyone within the LGBT community who could potentially offer these children a safe and loving home. Gemma Gordon-Johnson, Head Of Service at First4Adoption, says, “We’re here to offer information and advice to anyone interested in adoption. Many LGBT couples - and individuals - don’t realise that they’re even eligible to adopt.” This is just one of the many myths surrounding adoption. Single people, those who already have children, people in rented accommodation and those over 40 may also be unaware that they too can adopt.
First4Adoption, an independent organisation run by a consortium of children’s charities and supported by the Department For Education, was set up to create greater transparency around the adoption process and to give impartial information to members of all communities. People who call the information line on 0300 222 0022 can speak confidentially to a trained adviser and be directed to adoption services in their area as well as receiving up to date information about the latest developments in the adoption system.
The First4Adoption website at www.first4adoption.org.uk is also packed full of useful information. Anyone interested in adopting can take an interactive digital test to find out if they can apply to adopt. The site also includes downloadable information packs and easy to use e-learning material to support would-be adopters as they begin the approvals process.
Gemma explains: “The world of adoption can be a confusing and daunting place for anyone entering it for the first time. We’ve worked with experts to provide free information in the form of written and audio visual material that can be digested in bite-sized chunks and accessed via tablets or mobiles.”
Lizzie, from Bristol, who adopted a fouryear-old girl with her partner Sarah says they felt supported from the start of the process. “Our agency was really positive from day one, especially of us as same- sex adopters. In the group being assessed alongside us were two gay couples, two single adopters and two straight couples”.
Lizzie is also convinced that their choice to adopt was the right one: “Amy just fits right into our family and it’s as if she’s always been with us. We know we made the right decision to adopt her every time she smiles.”
For Manchester-based Neil and Martyn, the journey to adopting three-year-old Jackson was a process of self-discovery. “Becoming adoptive parents involves looking at your own childhood, your personality and your lifestyle,” says Neil. “Through talking to our adoption social worker, Martyn and I found out things about ourselves and each other that we’d never discussed before. Most importantly the process has strengthened our relationship and made us more aware of Jackson’s needs and our ability to meet them. Deciding to adopt is definitely the best thing we’ve ever done.”
Gemma says she is encouraged by the response of the LGBT community to the idea of adopting and she urges more LGBT people to come forward: “If you think you could offer a child a loving home, or if you have a question about the adoption process, pick up the phone and our friendly advisors will be able to give you the information that you need.”
“Most importantly the adoption process has
strengthened our relationship... Deciding to adopt is definitely the best
thing we’ve ever done”
How can First4Adoption help someone to adopt a child?
First4Adoption is the national information service for people interested in adopting a child in England. We provide people with information about whether they are eligible to adopt, the adoption process, finding an agency, the kinds of children who need adopters, and generally help them feel more prepared to begin an adoption journey. We can also put you in touch with adoption agencies in your area and answer any specific questions you may have about adoption.
What sort of people make the best adoptive parents?
It’s impossible to generalise. Adoptive parents are all different and come from every type of background and community. Successful adopters can be LGBT, single, unmarried or married/ civil partners, over 40, have a disability, hold religious views, or already have their own children. What they have in common is that they can all provide a loving home for a child.
What things should people take into account when applying to adopt a child?
There are a number of things to take into account when considering adoption. The first major decision, once someone has decided to apply to adopt, is to choose which agency to work with. We encourage people to visit a number of adoption agencies to ensure they find the best fit for them.
As part of the approvals process, the adoption agency will examine many aspects of the prospective adopter’s life, including their relationships, family, support network and housing. This is to assess their ability to be parents. It’s worth thinking about all of these things before applying to be an adoptive parent to show that you will be able to welcome an adopted child into your life.
Are there specific things which LGBT people must take into consideration when applying to adopt a child?
Largely, these are the same things that any other person would need to consider. Having a child is an exciting prospect and also means a huge life change. If you don’t have much contact with young children in your daily life, then it would be good to get some experience before applying to adopt. This could be looking after friends’ or relatives’ children, or volunteering at a preschool or children’s club.
Children who are adopted may have questions about their identity, or feel different at times, and LGBT adopters may be wellplaced to help them deal with these issues. They will need to be prepared for any questions their child may have and to address any hurtful comments their child might hear in the future. Though issues like bullying are in fact very rare just like single adopters, same-sex couples considering adopting may want to think about their network of family and friends and where their child might find role models among adults of both genders.
As a rule, are certain types of adoptive parents given preference over other adoptive parents?
Everyone applying to adopt is considered equally. By law an adoption agency cannot discriminate against someone’s sexuality so no adopters would be given preferential treatment over others. All adopters follow the same eligibility criteria and process.
Could a LGBT adoptive parent specify that they were looking to adopt a child who has already identified him/ herself as gay, and would their wishes be respected?
Children are usually adopted when they are younger and before their sexual orientation is known. As part of the adoption process, an adoption agency will explore with an adopter what type of child they are looking to adopt (including age and gender). It is a good idea for all prospective adopters to consider how they would support their child whatever their future sexual orientation may be.
What are the main stages in applying to adopt a child?
Firstly you need to gather information about adoption to help you decide if adoption is right for you. The First4Adoption website (www.first4adoption.org.uk) contains suggested reading material and case studies of people who have successfully adopted. Our information line advisers (0300 222 0022) can answer any questions you might have and put you in touch with adoption agencies in your area. We advise contacting a few adoption agencies and attending their information evenings to learn more. You then need to choose an adoption agency and submit a registration of interest form.
The government has recently introduced a two-stage adopter approval process. Stage 1, which begins once your application has been accepted by the adoption agency, lasts two months and involves the agency carrying out a number of background checks on you and starting your adopter preparation training. Stage 2, which lasts four months, involves more intensive training to help you prepare to be an adoptive parent. At the end of this six-month assessment process, an adoption panel will meet you and consider reports from your adoption agency, then recommend whether or not to approve you as an adopter. After approval, you are matched with an adoptive child, who could come to live with you within a few weeks.
What checks are made on people to ensure that they suitable adopters?
Your application form will include permission to take references and perform a medical and criminal background check (DBS) as well as contacting your Local Authority. The agency will want three written references, two of which will need to be from non-family members. The medical check is completed by your GP, and is simply to ensure that you are fit enough to cope with the rigours of parenting. The criminal record check is simply to confirm that you have no convictions or cautions that would prevent you from being an adoptive parent (e.g. offences against children and some sexual offences).
From selecting an adoption agency how long can a person reasonably expect to wait before adopting a child?
You can expect to complete the assessment process (Stages 1 and 2) within six months after your adoption agency has accepted your application form. Once you have been approved to be an adoptive parent, your adoption agency will match you with a suitable child and once the match has been approved by a matching panel they could come to live with you within a few weeks or months.
On a personal level, what satisfaction have you gained in working for First4Adoption?
I passionately believe that First4Adoption is such a vital service because there are over 4,000 children currently waiting to be adopted right now in England. We desperately need to encourage more people to apply to adopt and offer these children a lifeline. We know that many people have been put off coming forward to adopt because of a lack of information and because of myths about who can adopt. I recently attended an LGBT parenting event and spoke to lots of people who feared they may experience prejudice when approaching an adoption agency because they were gay. Our job is to provide people with the information they need about adopting and to get the message out that you can apply to adopt whether you are gay, single, unmarried, over 40, living in rented accommodation or already have children. I would urge people to pick up the phone and call us today to find out more and maybe change their and a child’s life for the better.
“Having a child is an exciting prospect and also means a huge life change”