Adoption is life-changing and we’re here to support you every step of the way. We know it’s a big decision, even just to make that first call.
Whether you’re want to adopt straight away or would just like to know a little more, our friendly team are here to answer your questions.
Call us on 01234 718718 or email adoption@bedford.gov.uk
Our adoption team are experienced workers who understand that the process can seem daunting and will support you throughout your assessment by providing training, one-to-one advice and guidance. We’ll talk you through the process, answer your questions and help you decide if adoption is right for you.
When you contact us, you’ll have a chat with a social worker from the Adoption Team. Lots of people are able to adopt.
There are very few restrictions and we can go over them with you.
We will then ask you to come to an information evening. This gives you the chance to find out more and decide if adoption is right for you.
Our small, informal adoption information evenings are held once a month. They're the perfect opportunity for you to understand more about adoption and about the process.
You’ll have the chance to ask as many questions as you wish.
We also try to have one of our adoptive parents there too, who will share their story. If you decide to proceed, we’ll arrange an initial interview.
Wed 17th January
Wed 14th February
Wed 13th March
Wed 17th April
Wed 15th May
Wed 12th June
Wed 17th July
Wed 14th August
Wed 11th September
Wed 16th October
Wed 13th November
Wed 11th December
All adoption information evenings will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams until further notice.
Please call 01234 718718 or email adoption@bedford.gov.uk to book a place.
Following the initial interview, we will discuss with you, the timing of your progression to Stage 1 and the completion of the Registration of Interest (ROI).
After the information evening, you will have the opportunity to complete an Expression of Interest with a view to beginning the adoption assessment process.
There are two stages to the assessment process:
We will take up checks and references with:
In addition:
Once we have collected all this information we will have a discussion with you and make a decision about whether to take your application on to Stage 2 of the approval process.
Your social worker will let you know our decision verbally and in writing.
The government has designed this two-stage process to ensure that those who enter Stage 2 are in a position to move forward with their application and are likely to be approved as adopters for the kind of children requiring families.
This is where we get to know you a lot better. In this stage, one of our social workers will visit you at home on a number of occasions to complete a Prospective Adopters Report (PAR).
We’ll also invite you to attend more training to prepare you for adoption. Once the assessment is completed you will receive a copy and are invited to make any comments about it.
The assessment is then presented to the Adoption Panel.
The adoption panel will consider all the information gathered during the assessment process and make a recommendation on your suitability to be an adoptive parent. You will have the opportunity to attend the panel if you wish.
The process may seem daunting, but it is very important that it is thorough and right, for both you and us.
Once you are approved to adopt, we will begin the search for a child whose needs you can meet. The matching process is vitally important as adoption is for life.
Once a child has been identified, you will meet the child’s social worker so you can find out more about him or her.
It’s very important that you feel positive about the child and that the child’s social worker feels that you would be well placed to care for the child.
A lot of detailed information is exchanged, including what contact arrangements are to remain in place with members of the child’s birth family.
If you and the social workers involved with you and the child want to progress with the match, this will again be presented to the Adoption Panel, who will make a recommendation about the proposed match.
Once a child is placed with you, we will continue to visit and support. You can apply for an adoption order after the child has been placed with you for a minimum of 10 weeks.
If you’d like a chat, call 01234 718718 or email adoption@bedford.gov.uk