Contact
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Mail :
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Plymouth Adoption Team Children's Services Plymouth City Council Plymouth PL1 2AA |
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Phone :
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0800 085 8034 |
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Email :
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adoption@plymouth.gov.uk |
Links
- Adoption UK
- British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF)
- Post-Adoption Centre
- Talk Adoption
- Adoption Contact Register
- National Organisation for Counselling of Adoptees and their Parents (NORCAP)
- Lookup UK
- People Finder UK
- Adoption Search
- Plymouth Family Support Services
- We are not responsible for the content of linked websites. Visit our disclaimer page for more information.
My child is being adopted frequently asked questions
- What does is mean for my child to be adopted?
- Do I have to agree to the adoption?
- What happens if I don't agree to the adoption?
- How will you find a new family for my child?
- Can I stay in contact with my child?
- What happens when my child becomes an adult?
- What support can I receive?
What does it mean for my child to be adopted?
If your child is adopted, someone else will become their legal parents and you will no longer have any rights or responsibilities over them.
Do I have to agree to the adoption?
Your child cannot just be taken away from you and adopted, and you do have a say in the matter. The process of having your child adopted has many safeguards to protect both you and the child. Plymouth City Council cannot pursue adoption - for this to happen, a court must look at the available evidence and agree that adoption is in the child's best interests. Before the adoption can take place, you must either consent to the adoption or the court must have good reason to abandon the need for your consent.
What happens if I don't agree to the adoption?
If you do not give consent to having your child adopted then we recommend that you seek legal advice from a Solicitor as soon as possible. We can give you a list of Solicitors who specialise in childcare issues. Your Solicitor will help find out whether you are entitled to legal aid.
In order for Plymouth City Council to place your child for adoption without your consent, we must have satisfactory evidence that you are unable to provide adequate care for the child in the foreseeable future. Your situation would have to fall into a specific list of circumstances outlined by the law stating the grounds that the Local Authority can use to not support your child living with you. A statement of the evidence for this will be sent to you to discuss with your Solicitor and challenge if you wish. You will also be visited by an independent social worker who will ask why you think adoption is a bad idea. Your views will be reported to the court and taken into account. If you wish, you can attend the court hearing in person and explain why you oppose the adoption.
How will you find a new family for my child?
Before we start looking for new adoptive parents we will consider whether your child could live with a member of your extended family. If no other family member can provide a suitable home then we will look for a new family.
We would appreciate your input on the type of family you would like your child to grow up in. You may want them to have a particular religious or cultural upbringing, or you may want them to have the opportunity to develop a particular skill or interest.
When prospective adopters are found, you will be told about them and consulted. You might even be able to meet them if you wish. Although we can't promise that the new family will be exactly as you wanted, we will take your requests into account wherever possible.
Can I stay in contact with my child?
We believe that some form of continued contact between the child's birth and adoptive families is usually in everyone's best interests. Although the child needs to grow up in a new family, this does not mean that you should disappear from their life completely. It is important that they know where they came from and you may need reassurance that they are healthy and happy. We will work with you, the child and the child's adoptive parents to decide on the most appropriate form of contact and put together a voluntary agreement.
Nowadays, most birth parents stay in touch with their child's adoptive parents using a system called 'Letterbox'. This enables you to exchange letters and possibly photos or videos at specified intervals (usually once or twice a year) confidentially via Plymouth City Council. This will keep you informed about each other are doing.
It is occasionally appropriate for birth parents to have face-to-face meetings with the child at certain intervals. This will only be possible if you agree to the adoption and have a very positive relationship with the child. It is more common for the child to have direct contact with other relatives such as grandparents, brothers or sisters.
What happens when my child becomes an adult?
When your child is 18 they will be able to obtain their birth certificate and adoption records and can choose to trace you if they want. If you have not stayed in contact and wish to trace your child when they are 18 or older, then we can provide advice and counselling.
What support can I receive?
Having your child adopted is a distressing experience whether or not you agree to it. As well as the initial pain of losing your child and the guilt of being unable to provide the upbringing they deserve, you are likely to continue to feel pain in the future.
We will provide all the support you need both before the adoption and for the rest of your life, and promise to treat you with respect whatever your situation. We will provide counselling for you and any of your relatives. We will keep you up to date throughout the process so you know what we are planning to do for your child. If you are ever unsure of what is happening or have any concerns, please speak with your child's social worker who wants to help you and make sure adoption is right for your child.
