First contact

This will be when you write or telephone us. The telephone contact number is 01629 532280.

You will be offered the opportunity to speak to an adoption social worker to discuss any matters that you want clarification about.

You will be sent information and asked to consider whether you want a visit from a social worker. If you do decide you want to proceed a social worker will be allocated to you for an initial visit. The visit is a fact-finding visit on both sides. We can find out more about you and you are able to ask whatever you want to know about adoption.

The visit helps you and us to decide whether you should move ahead to the next stage.

You need time to consider the information and decide whether adoption is right for you. The social worker will also consider whether they think adoption is right for you.

Clearly both must agree that this is the right step to take. If you want to proceed to a full application and we think that you should, you will be put on the waiting list for a full assessment.