Adopting a baby

[SueOrr0103]

Hello,

My husband and I are thinking of adopting a baby. I was wondering if anyone here has adopted. Can you please reply or PM me. I would love to have a chat with you about it.

Many thanks,

Sue

[Pugwash]

It is very difficult to adopt a baby - you are more likely to see toddlers. When I worked in the Adoption and Fostering services of Greenwich Council in the 1990s - adoption was a very long drawn out affair, but now quicker.

You should talk to someone who has recently adopted to get latest information.

You will need to provide several character references and those people need to be prepared to be interviewed by social worker. Your lifestyle, and outlooks on life and parenting will be considered. Most Local Authorities hold workshops for prospective adopters and it was compulsory to attend these when I was involved. Are you able to take a sibling group? a child with disabilities?

[Otta]

I know a couple of couples that jave adopted recently (both got kids around 18 months - 2 years at the time if adoption).

For one couple it went very smoothly and took about a year, that seems to be about the quickest. For the other couple it took 4 years, but she's a bit of a strange woman to be honest and I suspect she antagonised the social workers throughout.

[klove]

My friend's currently adopting through Southwark, they are legally required to give you full approval (or not) within six months. She found them quite slow in arranging the first home visit and suspected they dragged their feet as they had a bit of a back-log and they were slow in answering calls etc. But they do have babies under a year, normally about four on their books at one time, obviously (and very sadly) they have a lot more children over the age of one, particularly sibling groups as they're harder to place.

And good for you, you're doing something really brilliant for those children and society in general. Hats off to you.

(Maybe reposting this in the family room would get more responses?)

[ClareC]

Friends of ours adopted 6mth twins last year. Good luck x

[SueOrr0103]

Thanx very much for all your responses. It's very encouraging. Can you please give me the contact details of anyone whose adopted so that I can have a chat with them?

Many thanx,

Sue