Why should I choose to deal with Adoption Routes when there are other agencies in the area?

What’s the difference between Adoption Routes and the services provided by a Social Services Trust?

What area does Adoption Routes cover?

Does Adoption Routes provide training?

Do you have any leaflets that I can look at?

How can I find further information?

Where are Adoption Routes' Offices?

Our address is:

Adoption Routes
Ground Floor
Unit 2, 18 Heron Road
Belfast
BT3 9LE

What is adoption?

What is the difference between adoption and fostering?

Adoption is a legal process through which a child becomes a permanent and full member of a new family. Fostering is a temporary arrangement that allows a child to live with a family until circumstances enable the child to return to their own family, live independently, or to be placed for adoption.

What kind of children are waiting to be adopted and where are they from?

Many people associate adoption with babies. In fact, these days there are very few young babies available for adoption, partly because of the wider use of contraception, abortion and changes in people’s attitudes. Also, state support has made it easier for single parents to bring up children on their own.

There are thousands of people who still want to adopt, and many of them are considering older children, as well as children with disabilities and groups of brothers and sisters who would otherwise have to stay in care, such as children’s homes and other institutions.

There are estimated to be as many as 200 children in the Northern Ireland who are waiting to find a new family. Some have waited for years. They come from many different backgrounds.

They are aged between 0 and 16 years but the majority who are placed are between 2 – 10 years. Some have disabilities, some have medical problems and they all have experienced difficulties in their early lives. It is desirable that brothers and sisters are placed together.

There are many reasons why they can no longer live with their own families – amongst them abuse, neglect or family breakdown. The aim of Adoption Routes is to find families to care for these children on a permanent basis so that they can develop for the future secure and stable family lives. We especially need to find new homes for older children with disabilities.

Most of the children placed for adoption are cared for by Social Services in foster homes prior to placement for adoption. The upheaval they have known in their lives is likely to make an impact on their general development it may also have influence their behaviour.

How many children can I adopt?

How old are the children who are waiting to be adopted?

The law says that children can be adopted from infancy until the age of 18 years.

We place children of all ages but the majority are between 2 and 10 years.

Can we adopt a baby?

Do adopted children keep contact with their birth parents, brothers and sisters, or other relatives?

What should I do when my adopted child starts asking about their birth parents?

Why do people consider adoption?

Who can adopt?

All applicants must be 21 years old, except that a birth parent adopting his or her birth child, together with his or her spouse (who is not the birth parent), may be 18 or over provided the spouse is at least 21. In law there is no legal upper age limit however all Northern Ireland adoption agencies have set age limits.

In a joint application to adopt, the couple must be married. This is a legislative requirement in Northern Ireland. As our law operates at present with an unmarried couple, or a couple who are civilly partnered, one may adopt and the other may apply for a Residence Order. A single person may adopt.

The thing that all adopters have in common is the willingness and commitment to offer a child or children a loving, caring home in which they can thrive. Our adopters are all different, they may be single, divorced or widowed; have a full-time job or be unemployed; have had their own home or live in rented accommodation, or be from any religious background.

Adopters come from all walks of life. We do not looking saints, but you will need patience, humour and commitment. You will need energy and love and a determination to help these children overcome their unhappy and often painful experiences. The rewards of providing stability and love and seeing these children grow are enormous.

If you decide to adopt we will be looking with you at how your life experience, present knowledge and skills will help you to be successful.

Experience of bringing up children is less important than other experiences in your life which may have given you understanding which will be useful as an adopter.

For example:

- You may have cared for the children of relatives or friends;

- You may have experienced separation from people important to you or even bereavement. This could help you to understand how a child coming into foster or adoptive care may feel;

- You may have been bullied at school or work and so be able to stand up for a child who also feels different.

It will be helpful if you could begin to think about your experience, the relevant skills which you have and the knowledge these have given to you. Consider employment you have had, any qualifications you have gained, but experience acquired through your own family life, voluntary work, hobbies and interests is just as important.

Below you will find headings which will guide you to the sort of areas we will be discussing with you further.

- What did you learn from the way you were brought up?

- What experience have you had in caring for children?

- Could you extend your experience by getting involved with local children’s groups or schools?

- Have you worked as part of a team?

- Have you any special links with community groups or individuals

- Have you carried out any relevant training/achievements

My own children have left home. Am I too old to adopt?

Applications from experienced parents are always welcome.

Can we adopt more than once?

I’m disabled. Can I still apply?

Can we back out after we’ve applied?

What if I have any criminal convictions?
Will the police check up on my background?

Do I need to be rich to be an adopter?
Do I need to live in a big house with a big garden?

I’m a divorcee. Can I apply to become an adopter?

Do I need a full-time job?

We can’t have children of our own – can we be considered?
I’ve had infertility treatment which has been unsuccessful. I want to consider adoption. Can you help?

Do I have to be religious?
I don’t believe in God. Will that count against me?

I’ve recently been made redundant. Will this prevent me from being considered as a potential adopter?

Do I need a car?

What would prevent me being considered?

Can gay couples apply?

We already have children living at home. Can we adopt?

Yes. If possible the child to be adopted will be placed as the youngest family member, with an age gap of several years. You children will meet with a social worker and their views and their understanding of adoption will be taken into consideration.

From experience adopted children are generally emotionally vulnerable and very demanding of attention. As a result of this it will take time for them to begin to settle in your family. You must think about how this may effect the other children in your family.

I have a child with disabilities: will I still be considered if I apply to become an adopter?

I want to adopt a baby from abroad. Can you help me?

What if I can’t cope?

My application was turned down by another agency. Can I reapply to the Society?

The Adoption Panel turned us down. Can we reapply?

I’m thinking about adopting a stepchild. Can the Society help?

What about our health?
I’m overweight – will this count against me?
I smoke – will this prevent me from being accepted as an adopter?
Do I have to have a medical?

It is the law that all adoption applicants have a medical examination as part of their assessment. We supply the necessary forms and the examination is conducted by your GP. The completed Report is returned to our Belfast office. It is looked at by our Medical Adviser for comment and recommendation to the Adoption Panel. Adoption medical reports are held confidentially by the Society.
Prospective adopters are expected to be in good general health. Consideration will be given to of life-style issues such as weight, smoking and alcohol consumption. It should be stressed that these factors are not in themselves reasons to reject an application. Our Medical Adviser considers all medication information and if, in their professional opinion, there is a particular health risk either to you or to the children who may be placed in your care, we would then discuss these matters with you carefully before taking things further.

What help and support can I expect from Adoption Routes during and after the adoption process?

Approval, is the start of a partnership with you, working towards the placement of children for adoption in your family.

Support from Adoption Routes begins right at the start with your registration as adopters, through placement and even in the years ahead after an Adoption Order has been made.

We will assist you through discussions regarding the child/ren who eventually join your family and help introduce you to them. Contact does not end there rather we will continue to offer you advice and guidance on issues that you encounter in caring for the child.

I’m an adopted person. Does Adoption Routes provide any services for people like me?

Can you help me trace my birth parents?
Can Adoption Routes help me trace my birth family relatives?
I’ve just found out that I am adopted. I’m confused. Who can I talk to?

I’m pregnant and may want to place my child for adoption. Can you help?

We’ve applied to become adopters and now I’ve discovered I’m pregnant. Can we continue with our application?

How long does the adoption process take?

The most important thing is that children are placed in good homes and so we need to make sure that you’re properly prepared, and that our checks are carried out sensitively and comprehensively.

Matching you with the right children may also take weeks or even months. You should expect the process to take approximately eight months, but be prepared for it to take longer.

What are the legal implications of being an adopter?

What is the role of the Adoption Panel?

The Adoption Panel is the group which considers your application and recommends to the agency whether you should be approved as prospective adopters. You are eligible to attend the Adoption Panel for a part of the meeting. Whether you decide to attend or not has no bearing on the panel process. You will be informed verbally of the Panel's recommendations on the day of the meeting. The full decision of Adoption Routes will be provided in writing within 5-10 working days.

How does Adoption Routes match children with adopters?

Will I have to provide references?

When should I tell my adopted children that they’ve been adopted?

Do adoptions break down?

Can I talk to other people who have adopted?

How much does adoption cost?
Medical Charges
Legal Expenses

Information

Do you have an application form?