The Assessment

At the first visit you will be asked to:

Complete an Application form

This gives basic factual information. It also asks for your consent for statutory references to be obtained.

Statutory references

These will then be taken up with the Criminal Records Bureau, the Probation Service and the Area Health Authority. The law requires such inquiries to be made to see if there is any known reason why you should not be considered for adoption.

Personal references

Two personal references are required from people who have known you well over a period of years. It is preferable that they are people in your age range, who is or are parents themselves, and where you have contact with their children.

The purpose of these references is to see you as potential parents. They also may be part of your support network when children are placed with you. They will be asked to provide a written rererence and will also be visited by the assessing social worker.

We also ask for references from a family member for each applicant.

Medicals

You will be required to be medically examined by your own doctor, on the understanding that the forms are sent to the medical adviser to the Adoption Panel. You will be required to meet the cost of this medical examination which is payable to your General Practitioner.

The medical adviser will comment on your suitability to adopt, from a medical point of view.