“To take into one’s family through legal means and raise as one’s own child” (dictionary definition) (dictionary definition)

THINKING ABOUT ADOPTION – WHO TO CONTACT There are 5 STATUTORY Adoption Agencies in Northern Ireland (each Health and Social Care Trust) AND There are 2 VOLUNTARY Adoption Agencies in Northern Ireland – Family Care Society and Adoption Routes

ADOPTION AGENCIES Family Care Society – 2 offices (Belfast and Derry / Londonderry Adoption Routes – 1 office in Heron Road, Belfast

PATHWAYS TO ADOPTION DOMESTIC adoption (children from Northern Ireland or UK) – either through your local Trust or either of the Voluntary Adoption Agencies OR INTER-COUNTRY adoption (children from overseas) – only through your local Trust (Regional Team currently being established)

PATHWAYS TO ADOPTION CONCURRENT CARING (fostering a very young child, with a view to adoption, if that becomes the agreed plan) Through Unite Concurrent Planning Service or your local Trust

UNITE Concurrent Planning Service

WHY DOMESTIC ADOPTION? It is estimated that up to 200 children in care in Northern Ireland need permanent adoptive families (up to 5000 children across the UK) Domestic adoption ensures that a child is raised within his or her own culture, language and religion Adopters are provided with as much information as is known regarding the child’s past, their birth parents, siblings, family history and health There are no charges or fees in domestic adoption Children are more likely to be able to retain some contact with their birth family

WHO ARE THE CHILDREN? All will be in the care of one of the Health and Social Care Trusts / Local Authority These children are not usually “given up” for adoption – the Court has decided they cannot live with parents Concerns often include parental neglect, abuse, alcohol / drug addiction, poor mental health, domestic violence or learning disability. The children may have experienced several changes in foster placement in their short lives They will have been impacted in different ways and to varying degrees by their early experiences

TRUE OR FALSE? You can’t adopt if you’re over 40 FALSE You can’t adopt if you’re single FALSE You can’t apply to adopt while you are still having fertility treatment TRUE You can only adopt one child FALSE You have to be rich to adopt FALSE

TRUE OR FALSE? Same-sex couples cannot apply to adopt in Northern Ireland FALSE Only married couples can adopt a child FALSE You must own your own home in order to adopt FALSE Applicants with unhealthy lifestyles (including smoking and obesity) may not be considered to be suitable adopters TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE? You can never apply to adopt if you have a criminal record FALSE Many unplanned pregnancies result in new-born babies being given up for adoption in NI FALSE Some babies are placed with their adoptive parents at birth TRUE Children over 5 are too old to be adopted FALSE

TRUE OR FALSE? When a child is adopted their surname changes TRUE When a child is adopted you should change their first name to a name you really like FALSE It’s best for a child if you don’t tell them they were adopted and pretend they are your flesh and blood FALSE

TRUE OR FALSE? Once a child is adopted they will have no further contact with their birth family FALSE You will have to get permission from the Social Worker about all major decisions involving your adopted child FALSE Post-adoption support is available for you whenever you you need it, throughout your adopted child’s childhood TRUE

TRUE OR FALSE? If you give it a few months and things aren’t working out, you can change your mind FALSE Adoption is a life-long commitment to a child – the child becomes a part of your life and your family’s life, for the rest of your life

PARENTING AN ADOPTED CHILD TIME PATIENCE UNDER- STANDING FLEXIBILITY COMMITMENT HUMOUR MANAGE STRESS SUPPORT NETWORK STABILITY ENERGY SELFLESS LOVE

ADOPTION PROCESS

For more information or informal chat, please contact Tracy Mather at: Family Care Adoption Services: 511 Ormeau Road Belfast BT7 3GS Phone: