Equality Britain Adoption & Fostering

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“Believing in Equality,

encouraging Diversity,

promoting opportunity”EqualityBritain

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When we hear stories of families and adoption, there seems to be one group of people whose voices remain unheard and whose potential isn’t always realised. This group of people is adoptive fathers. National Adoption Week (1st -7th November 2010), The British Association for Adoption & Fostering (BAAF)wants to get more men thinking and talking about adoption, to understand the positive impact they can have on children.

“In the beginning I felt dizzy”says stay-at-home dad Daniel. “I didn’t know what I was doing really! Running a house was never something I’d particularly had to do before we adopted. Now I was running a home I would have to sit in the chair, making lists of what I needed to do.”

Daniel and his wife adopted their daughter, then aged six, a year ago. He works part-time at a residential school for severely autistic children and is his daughter’s primary carer. When he and his wife adopted, they became the new permanent family for one child whose birth parents were no longer able to care for her. BAAF estimates that there are around 4,000 children needing new families in the UK every year. For National Adoption Week, BAAF wants to remind men how much they have to offer as parents and encourage them to come forward as adopters.

Many are under the impression that you need to be married to adopt – butthis isn’t the case. People from all walks of life can apply to adopt, the onlyrestrictions being that you must be over 21 and have no previous criminalconvictions against children. Single people – both men and women – as well as same sex couples can also apply. However, men often exclude themselves because of taboos around fathers as primary carers, or becausethey think they couldn’t love an adopted child as much as their “own”.

Daniel’s journey to fatherhood had its ups and downs, as he explains.“My wife and I decided to adopt about four years ago. During theprocess we had some major life changes. First my mother was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of dementia, then just beforewe were approved as adopters I was made redundant from my job as an IT consultant. But then I started working at the school for autistic children. It was revolutionary for me. I was suddenly launched into a world of working with children, and I learned so much about them”.

The transition wasn’t always easy for Daniel.“In the beginning I was quite lonely, not being in the work environment. At the moment, the stay-at-home world is still more of a women’s world – but I believe this will change, and that there will be more and more stay-at-home dads as time goes on. I neverdreamed I would be in this position of being a stay-at-home dadworking part-time with children – but it’s wonderful. Making this change has been the best thing I’ve ever done”.

Potential new male adopters are one group that BAAF hopes to reach withits new Adoption Champions scheme, a new community involvement projectlaunched earlier this year. People like Daniel will be talking about their experiences of adoption to encourage other potential adopters to come forward. The charity particularly hopes to encourage male carers, black carers, and gay carers to volunteer as Adoption Champions, and be rolemodels to others in their community. By doing this, BAAF hopes to bring forward a broader range of people, to ensure children waiting for adoptionfind the right “forever families”.

To other men considering adoption, Daniel says: “Lots of people, including men, have told to me they’ve thought about adoption but very few people pursue it. People should as it’s one of thosethings in life you could always end up wishing you’d done. There can be many tears and tribulations throughout the process, but adoption, and being a full-time father, have given me something no career ever could. It’s changed the way I think, it’s changed my priorities in life, it’s completely changed my plans for the future. It’s been the best thing I’ve ever done.”

More information on National Adoption Week and the Adoption Champions scheme can be foundonline at www.nationaladoptionweek.org.uk

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Ad ptThe life you change will be yours.

Could you offer love, care and commitment to a childwho may have had a difficult start in life? Adopting achild could be the most rewarding thing you do.

We welcome people of all backgrounds,cultures and religions, people who aremarried, single, co-habiting, divorced,lesbian or gay.

We particularly welcome enquiries fromblack families, African, African Caribbean,people who are of mixed parentage, inmixed relationships and white familieswho would consider caring for olderchildren and sibling groups.

We provide lots of support throughout andafter the adoption process and adoptionsupport packages.

email: [email protected]: www.walthamforest.gov.uk/adoptandfoster abcde

To request aninformation pack call

020 8496 3000or to speak to the

Adoption Teamdirectly call:

020 8496 1588(9am-5pm Mon-Fri)

Portsmouth City Council is always in need of adopters

from a wide variety of ethnic, cultural and religious

communities to meet the needs of children waiting for

a permanent family.

If you think this might be the right way for you to build

your family, phone our Adoption Team on telephone

023 9287 5294 or visit our website at:

www.portsmouth.gov.uk

Take your first steps together023 9287 5294

AdoptionDo something amazing...

Adopting a child is one of the most rewarding things you can do. All sorts of children from different backgrounds need adoptive parents.

For further information contactEast Riding Adoption Team:

Tel: (01482) 396673Email: [email protected]









Adoption Do something amazing... Adopting a child is one of the most rewarding thingsyou can do. Children from all sorts of different backgroundsneed adoptive parents. For further information contact East Riding Adoption Team: Tel: (01482) 396673Email: [email protected]

Useful Adoption and Fostering Contacts

The following organisations and websites provideauthoritative, current and accurate content, including adoption, fostering & looked after children and information on support, resources or research on these areas.

Adoption Information Linewww.adoption.org.ukProvides advice and information to the general public.

Adoption Interlink UKwww.billsimpson.comAn information and contact site for all members of the adoption circle.

Adopters Scotland www.adosco.co.ukAn information site written by two adopters.

Adoption UK www.adoptionuk.org.ukA self help organisation for adoptive parents and prospective adopters.

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C R N E R W A Y S F O S T E R I N G S E R V I C E S L I M I T E D

C o r n e r w a y s F o s t e r i n g S e r v i c e s L t d . R e g i s t e r e d A d d r e s s : A s h c o m b e C o u r t , W o o l s a c k W a y , G o d a l m i n g , S u r r e y G U 7 1 L Q

R e g i s t e r e d i n E n g l a n d N o G B 4 7 4 5 0 2 5

CAN YOU BECOME A FOSTER CARER WITH US?Cornerways Fostering Services provides foster care for children and young people of all ages, andto new parents with babies needing extra guidance and support. We are a small agency operatingin Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and South London. Our philosophy is to empower and support ourfoster carers so that they can provide the best care for the children they look after. Our carerscome from all sorts of backgrounds, faiths and experiences and so do the children we care for.

We always need more foster carers because so many children need care and support. We willtrain you and provide payment for your time and skills.

If you have a spare bedroom, plenty of spare time and spare energy and want to commit yourselfto living a different kind of life and making a difference, then please contact us to find out more. Website www.cornerways.org Email [email protected]

Telephone 0844 4631256

Many children who are black orof mixed parentage are waitingto move to permanent fosteringor adoptive families. Generousfinancial support available.

You could make a difference!Contact (020) 8871 7184 for an information pack or emailadoptionandfostering

@wandsworth.gov.uk

Designed and produced by the Corporate Communications Unit, Wandsworth Council. AD.782 (7.09)Photos: www.johnbirdsall.co.uk

AD.782 (7.09):AD.607 (9.04) 9/7/09 15:28 Page 1

Directgov www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/AdoptionfosteringandchildrenincareAdoption and fostering information.

Fostering Network www.fostering.netThe Fostering Network is the UK's leading charity for everyone with a personal or professional involvement in fostering.

Fostering Information Line www.fostering.org.ukProvides information and advice to members of the public.

Foster Talk www.fostertalk.orgProviding professional support, advice and preferential pricing arrangements to foster carers nationwide.

Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) www.irm-adoption.org.ukIs a review process, with a panel, which prospective adopters can use when they have been told that their adoption agency does not propose toapprove them as suitable to adopt a child.

New Family Social www.newfamilysocial.co.ukA group for lesbian and gay adopters, and those taking their first steps towards adoption.

North Wales Adoption Serivcewww.northwalesadoption.co.ukWe work together to help find local families for local children in North Wales.

South Wales Adoption Agencieswww.swaac.org.ukWe are a 11 member agencies working together in South Wales to promoteand raise awareness of adoption in South Wales.

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WWhhaatt iiss aaddooppttiioonnaanndd wwhhoo ccaann aappppllyy??

Adoption is where a child legally becomes a member of a new family and has one or two newparents. If you are at least 21 years old and canprovide a permanent, stable and caring home, your application to adopt will be welcomed. There is no upper age limit.

Adoption ordersOnly a court can make an adoption order. The effect of the adoption order is that the birth parents no longer have any parental rights and responsibilities for their child. Those rights and responsibilities are given to the adoptive parents. Once the court has made an adoption order thechild becomes a full member of the adoptive family. They take the surnameof their adoptive parents and have the same rights and privileges as if theyhad been born to them. This includes the right of inheritance.

A child's eligibility for adoptionBefore the court can make an adoption order, the court has to be satisfied ofall of the following:

> the child was under the age of 18 when the adoption application was made

> the child is not – or has never been – married or in a civil partnership

> both birth parents have given their consent to the adoption

In some cases, it is not necessary to get consent from the birth parent orguardian. This happens when:

> the birth parent or guardian cannot be found or is incapable of giving consent

> the child's welfare would be at risk if the adoption order was delayed

Who can apply to adopt?The following are eligible to apply to adopt:

> single people (irrespective of their sexual orientation)> a partner of a parent of the child to be adopted> married couples> civil partners> unmarried couples (same sex and different sex) living as

partners in a stable family relationship

Your application will be considered on the basis of whether you can meet theadopted child’s needs. It does not matter whether you own your own homeor are in or out of work. You and all adult members of your household will berequired to have a police check.

Do you have to be a British Citizen?You do not need to be a British citizen. However, if you are adopting as acouple with your spouse or partner:

> one of you must be domiciled in the British Islands and both of you have to have been habitually resident there for at least one year before you apply to the court for an adoption order

If you are adopting as a single person:> you must be domiciled in a part of the British Islands and have to

have been habitually resident there for at least one year before you apply to the court for an adoption order

For more information visit :

www.nationaladoptionweek.org.ukor

www.direct.gov.uk and search for Adoption

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Becoming a foster carerAnyone can apply to be a foster carer, so long as they have the qualitiesneeded to look after children who cannot live with their parents. There is no maximum age limit for being a foster carer.

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We need people like you to help make a real difference to a child's life.

We are looking forAdoptive Families

wanting to make a family come true especially for older children and sibling groups

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or visit www.hillingdon.gov.ukand search 'adoption'

Call us now on freephone

Could you adoptfor Hillingdon?

0800 783 1298

www.hillingdon.gov.uk

Hillingdon's Fostering and Adoption Service would love to hear from you if you feel you have time in your life to

give a child or young person real hope for the future

We need people like you to help make a real difference to a child's life.

We are looking forAdoptive Families

wanting to make a family come true especially for older children and sibling groups

Pict

ure

pose

d by

mod

els

or visit www.hillingdon.gov.ukand search 'adoption'


Could you adoptfor Hillingdon?

0800 783 1298

www.hillingdon.gov.uk

Hillingdon's Fostering and Adoption Service would love to hear from you if you feel you have time in your life to

give a child or young person real hope for the future

Could you adopt for Hillingdon?We need people like you to help make a real difference to a childs life.We are particularly recruiting families for children of dual heritage and ethnic minority origins and would therefore welcome enquiries from black or dual heritage households.

We welcome applicants from all cultural backgrounds, single people, couples and those in partnerships.


0800 783 1298 or visit our website

www.hillingdon.gov.uk/adoption

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You can be a foster carer...> whether you have your own children or not> if you are single, married or living with a partner> if you are in or out of work> whether you live in your own home or rent> whatever your race, religion or sexuality

Applying to become a foster carerIf you are interested in becoming a foster carer, the first thing you should dois contact your local fostering service (either the social services department

of your local council or an independent fostering agency) andarrange a meeting. They will explain what fostering involves and will help you decide whether you are right for fostering.

Once it has been decided you are suitable to become a foster carer, The Criminal Records Bureau will check thatyou have not committed an offence which would excludeyou from fostering. You will also have a health check, to rule out any health problems.

A social worker will then help you fill in an application form and you will be asked to attend a group preparation session with other peoplewho are applying. Finally your application will be

sent to an independent fostering panel, which willrecommend whether or not you can become a foster

carer. This can take up to six months.

www.nationaladoptionweek.org.ukor www.direct.gov.uk and search for

Fostering

Change a child’s life forever. Foster with IslingtonIslington foster carers

offer a home in or near Islington

are single or couples

live in owned or rented accommodation

receive generous allowances

If you would like to find out more please call 0800 073 0428 or see www.islington.gov.uk/fostering

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Tracing and contacting birthrelatives and adopted adultsIf a birth relative of yours was adopted before 30 December 2005, you canask an intermediary agency to trace and arrange contact with them. Adopted adults who were adopted before 30 December 2005 can do thesame to find their own birth relatives.

Getting in contact with an intermediary agencyIntermediary services are provided by adoption agencies or adoption supportagencies. You can find one near you by searching on the Adoption SearchReunion (ASR) website.

How the process worksWhen an intermediary agency locates a person they must ask them for theirconsent to tell the applicant their name and to have contact.

If they don’t agree to have contact, the agency may still be able to sharesome information. This might include the person’s domestic or family circumstances, or their general health and well-being. However, the agencywill not reveal the person’s name or their whereabouts.

If they agree to have contact, the agency can help to arrange it and provideany emotional support, counselling or advice that may be needed.

Further Information For more information about the process, whats involved and to find outabout the Adoption Contact Register please visit www.direct.gov.uk andsearch for “Tracing Parents”

Mae arnom angen pobl i gynnig cartrefi maeth diogel a chariadus i blant na allent fyw gyda’u teuluoedd genedigol. Rydym hefyd angen ceisiadau gan boblsydd a diddordeb mewn mabwysiadu. Does dim gwahaniaeth os rydych wedipriodi, ysgaru, yn byw gyda partner neu’n sengl. Nid oes angen cymwysterauffurfiol – dim ond ymrwymiad i ofalu am blant.Ymwelwch a www.gwynedd.gov.uk a chwiliwch am faethu a mabwysiadu neu e-bostiwch [email protected]

We need people to offer safe, caring foster homes to children who aren’t able to live with their birth families. As well as adoptive parents. It doesn’t matter whether you’re married, divorced, living with a partner or single, gay or lesbian, own or rent your home, have a job or not. You don’t need formal qualifications – just a dedication to caring for children.Visit www.gwynedd.gov.uk and search for adoption and fostering or email [email protected]

01286 682660

Equality Britain Adoption & Fostering

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