How do I adopt?

We will help and guide you at all stages of your application to adopt.

1. Information pack

When you Contact us about adoption, we will send you an information pack. Contact details will be included if you wish to speak to an experienced adoption worker about your particular circumstances. Once you have spoken with the Duty Social Worker, they will consult with their manager and it will be agreed if you are ready to be invited to an Understanding Adoption Day.

2. Understanding Adoption Day

You and your partner, if you have one, will be expected to attend and participate in a one day Understanding Adoption Day. These are held regularly around the county and will enable you to increase your knowledge about adoption. You will explore your reasons for considering adopting and this will give you an opportunity to decide whether it is the right time to continue. You will learn more about the process and hear from other people who have adopted a child with Kent County Council.

3. Initial home visit

If you decide to continue, you will need to return the form from the Understanding Adoption Day and we will arrange for a member of the adoption team to visit you at home to discuss adopting in greater detail. We can consider whether there are particular issues to explore further, the adoption social worker will consult with their manager and potential adopters are invited to a Preparation Course.

4. Preparation course

You and your partner, if you have one, will be expected to attend and participate in a four day Preparation Course. The course teaches about adoption and involves large and small group discussions. The course encourages awareness of the feelings and actions of everyone involved in adoption, especially the needs of adopted children.

5. Adoption assessment, references and medicals

If you decide to continue and we accept your application to adopt, an adoption social worker will undertake an adoption assessment with you. You will have the opportunity to discuss issues surrounding adoption and talk everything through together. It will involve gathering information about you and your situation. You will be asked to have a medical with your GP and various checks and references will be requested, including police checks. We will also ask to contact previous partners, particularly if the care of children was involved in your relationship. At the conclusion of the assessment a full written report will be presented to the Adoption Panel for consideration.