Pre-order support

Once adopters are approved, they become eligible to be considered for potential matches. During Stage 2 training, they will have met the Family Finding Team, and their assessment is shared with Family Finders as soon as they are approved by our Agency Decision Maker (ADM). Family Finding social workers then use a matching matrix to carefully compare what a Prospective Adopter(s) can offer based on the needs of the children waiting for adoption.

The time between approval and matching can vary, as the process is led by the needs of the children. Matching is not a ‘first come, first served’ basis, but on the strongest potential match. Family Finders use a range of tools and approaches, including profile events, to ensure the best possible outcomes for children placed for adoption. The focus is always on finding the right family for each child.

The Family Finding Team will invite Prospective Adopter(s) (PAs) to an online profile event where they will be introduced to children who we are currently finding families for. PAs may also receive a booklet on the children waiting, which can be reviewed and considered by the PA. If there are any children a PA is interested in finding out more about, they will be able to contact the team and discuss this with them. Their social worker will also be in regular contact to help them consider the children waiting.

For a child or siblings who have a Placement Order, Prospective Adopters (PAs) will initially view a profile for each child which will normally include:

• Photos of the child/siblings
• An outline of their personality
• What they are interested in
• Any development considerations
The qualities and skills a child/siblings would need from their future adoptive parent(s)

If a Prospective Adopter(s) could meet a child’s needs, then further information would be shared with them.

This is normally the Child Permanence Report (CPR) which is written for court and provides detailed information on a child including:

• Family history
• Health and development
• Educational needs

A PA may also receive information on the child’s current educational needs and ability.

If the child is placed under early permanence, PAs will not receive any of the above as there will be no court order. The child's social worker will explain why the child is unable to stay with the birth family at present and will also be able to provide details about the child's development, but there will not be as much information if a court order has not been made.

Legally a child must have been placed for adoption for a minimum of 10 weeks and one day before an Adoption Order can be applied for.

Once a child has settled with a Prospective Adopter(s), the professional network around them will regularly review the progress as a family. When everyone agrees it is in the child’s best interests, PAs are advised to apply for the Adoption Order. This is the PAs application, but the Local Authority and Adopt South will support them throughout. The PAs social worker and the child’s social worker will prepare reports for the court (called Annex A), summarising the PAs circumstances, the child’s journey to adoption, and birth family details. The social worker will also re-interview three of the PAs original referees to gather their views on how things are progressing. There is a court fee (for the application), but if PAs adopt siblings together, only one fee applies.

Birth parents will be informed of the PAs application and have the legal right to request permission to oppose it. If granted, the court will consider their grounds before making a decision. This process can feel frustrating for PAs, as they will be keen for a final decision, but it is an important legal safeguard because an Adoption Order permanently ends birth parents’ legal rights. During this time, PAs know a child is safe and settled with them, even if the uncertainty lasts a little longer. The PAs social worker will guide and support them through every step, including any statements the court may require.