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Contents

1. Criteria for Prospective Adopters               
2. Responding to Initial Enquiries    
3. Information Meeting    
4. Home Visit               
5. Preparation Groups and Further Training   
6. Checks and References  
7. Home Study/Assessment  
8. Prospective Adopter’s Report 
9. The Panel Recommendation     
10. After the Panel Recommendation     
11. Options following Decision not to Approve Applicants
12. Post Approval Period and Review of Approved Prospective Adopter’s Approval               
13. Assessment of Second-time or Subsequent Adopters  
14. Assessment of Applicants who wish to Adopt a Looked After Child known to them
15. Assessment of Foster Carers who wish to Adopt a Looked After Child in their Care 
16. Representation Options, Feedback and Complaints     

1. Criteria for Prospective Adopters

1.1   Requirement to pursue application with one agency only

By law, applications will not be considered from people who are already pursuing an application with another agency.

1.2   Individual and Joint

By law, applications will be considered from people of either sex and of any sexual orientation.  They may be:

• single people
• married couples
• unmarried couples
• in a civil partnership

In the case of married/civil partnership and unmarried couples, there is no legal minimum requirement on the length of the marriage/relationship.  In order to assess the permanence and stability of the relationship, it is unlikely Bradford will consider an application from couples who have been together for less than two years.  (In assessing the quality and stability of a relationship, the views of two personal referees who have known the applicants as a couple will be taken into account.)

If a person is making a single application but is married or in a civil partnership, the Court must be satisfied that

• The person’s spouse or civil partner cannot be found; or
• The spouses/civil partners have separated, are living apart and the separation is likely to be permanent; or
• The person’s spouse or civil partner is incapable of making an application for an Adoption Order by reason of physical or mental ill health

Staff who are employees of Bradford Department of Services to Children and Young People may not be adopters unless they were approved before April 2002. This policy is devised to avoid conflicts of interest.

1.3  The legal minimum age for adopters is 21. 

There is no specific upper age limit.  Applicants who are over 45 are more likely to be considered for a child over the age of 4 than a younger child. Special consideration will need to be given to the health of applicants who are over 55.   Flexibility will be applied in relation to applicants who are considering adopting children who may be difficult to place.

1.4   Criminal Convictions

There is a statutory prohibition to adoption if the prospective adopters or any member of their household, aged 18 or over, have been convicted of a "specified offence", committed at the age of 18 or over, or cautioned by a constable in respect of any such an offence which, at the time the caution was given, the person in question admitted - see Regulation 23, Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005.

"Specified offence" means:

• an offence against a child as set out in Section 26(1) of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2003, except that this does not include an offence under section 9 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (sexual activity with a child) where the offender was under 20, and the child aged 13 or over at the time the offence was committed;
• an offence specified in Part 1 of Schedule 3 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 (various sexual offences, including rape against an adult);
• an offence relating to indecent photographs of children under the age of 16;
• any other offence involving bodily injury to a child other than the offence of common assault or battery.

In addition under Regulation 23, there is a statutory prohibition to adoption if the prospective adopters or any member of their household, aged 18 or over, have been convicted of or cautioned for an offence specified in paragraph 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 3 of the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 or falling within paragraph 2 or 3 of Schedule 3.

Other convictions will not necessarily preclude an application, but this will depend on the seriousness of the offence and how long ago it was committed

1.5  Domicile and Habitual Residence

By law, the applicant (or at least one of them) must have their Domicile in the British Isles and the applicant (or one of them) must have their Habitual Residence in the British Isles for not less than one year before the date of the adoption application. 

In all these cases, it is essential to see all relevant documents in order to fully establish nationality and immigration status.

Where there is doubt, potential applicants should be asked to seek independent advice.

1.6   Religion

Applications will be considered from people of any or no religious persuasion.  If the enquirer belongs to a religion which would make it unlikely that the agency or the North East Yorkshire Region Consortium could make a suitable placement with them, consideration should be given to referring them, with their agreement, to a more appropriate/specialist agency.

1.7   Ethnicity

Applications will be considered from people of any ethnicity or culture.  If the enquirer belongs to an ethnic minority which would make it unlikely that the agency or the North East Yorkshire Region Consortium could make a suitable placement with them, consideration should be given to referring them to a more appropriate agency.

1.8   Income

Applicants may be in work or not.  All applicants will need to consider the financial implications of increasing their family and the agency will require them to agree to a financial assessment of their circumstances.  They will be required to provide information about any County Court judgements or voluntary bankruptcy agreements.

1.9   Health

By law, applicants are required to have a full medical and to undergo any further tests/checks that may be required by the Adoption Panel’s Medical Adviser.  The Medical Adviser will advise on the applicants’ ability, from a physical and psychological health point of view, to meet the needs of a child throughout his or her childhood. 

It is unlikely that a very young child or a child vulnerable to chest complaints would be placed in a household where one or both parents are smokers.

Where applicable, the agency will require applicants to have completed any fertility tests and treatment, and to have had a period of time, usually at least 6 months, since completing the tests before an application can be accepted.  This is because it is important for applicants to have accepted their infertility and grieved before moving on to start the adoption process. 

1.10 Location/Accommodation/Pets

The agency welcomes applications from those who reside within Bradford Metropolitan District or within reasonable travelling distance.  An application may be considered from an enquirer who lives at a greater distance if a much-needed resource is being offered.

Applicants may own their own home or live in rented accommodation.  They will have to demonstrate that they have a secure home environment in which to bring up a child.

They will need accommodation appropriate to the number and ages of the children they are seeking to adopt.

The agency will not accept applications from the owners of dangerous pets or dogs listed as dangerous under legislation.

1.11  Applicants who have a Child or Children

The agency will accept applications from people who already have a child/children, in which case any children should usually be at least two years older or younger than the age of the child an applicant is seeking to adopt.  If the intention is to adopt a child in the middle of the family, there should be a three year age gap between the siblings.

If applicants have previously adopted, there should be an interval of at least 12 months from the making of the Adoption Order before an application is made to adopt another child.

1.12  Child Care Experience

It is important that the applicant who is going to be the main carer has some experience of children of the age group in which the applicants are interested.

The agency expects the applicant who will be the initial main carer of the child to be in a position to provide full time care for the child/ren for at least the first six months of the placement and to be flexible in their plans to return to work and for childcare, based on the best interests of the child/children.

Applicants must be committed not to use corporal punishment.

1.13  Support Network

The agency expects that applicants are able to demonstrate that they can make warm relationships and have accessible and established support networks of family and friends who will be in a position to provide support with parenting. 

1.14  Adoption Contact

Prospective adopters will be expected to comply with arrangements for Adoption Contact with the child’s birth family or significant others, where there is an Order or where the agency considers it is in the child’s best interests for such contact to take place.

In most adoptive situations, contact will normally be a voluntary arrangement for indirect contact (an exchange of written information via the agency) on an annual basis.  Occasionally there may be direct contact with members of the extended family, such as siblings.  Statutory Contact Orders are rare

2. Responding to Initial Enquiries

1. Information Pack:
   
   All members of the public who make an initial enquiry by telephone, letter, email or in person should be sent an information pack. This will contain details of the adoption process (including the checks, references and preparation), the eligibility criteria, information about the children requiring adoptive placements (including their age ranges, background and characteristics, and the legal basis for placement for adoption). The information pack also includes an invitation to attend an Information Meeting - see Section 3, Information Meeting. The information pack must be sent within 5 working days of the initial enquiry. This will include information on eligibility criteria, the assessment and matching process, the children who need adoptive families locally and the expectations of prospective adopters. 
   
   Enquirers should not be turned away on the basis that their ethnicity and culture is not shared with those children waiting to be placed with adoptive parents.
   
   Enquirers should not be turned away because of their age - there is no upper age restriction on applying to be adoptive parents. Any practice that classifies couples/single people in a way that effectively rules out adoption because of their status, age or because they and the child do not share the same racial or cultural background is not child-centred and is unacceptable.
2. In the event of an enquiry from an employee of this local authority’s services for children, they should be advised that it is unlikely that their application would be pursued and they should be signposted to other agencies. This is because of possible conflicts of interest for themselves and any children placed with them.  Enquirers will be asked about any communication or access needs. The name and address of the enquirer will be logged on the Database.
3. In very exceptional circumstances, an initial enquiry may result in a decision not to send an Information Pack. In this situation, the enquirer may speak to an Adoption Team Manager and request a written decision.  Following this, the enquirer may request a review by the Fostering and Adoption Unit Manager.
4. Eligibility:
   
   If the enquirer has a question about eligibility, they can be put in contact with an adoption team social worker who will provide further information.
5. Response to publicity about a specific child:
   
   If the enquirer is responding to publicity for a specific child, the person taking the enquiry should complete a Response Form and this should immediately be passed to the worker with responsibility for family finding for the child concerned.  See Seeking Adoptive Families .
6. Foster carers who wish to adopt a looked after child they for whom they are currently caring:
   
   Foster carers who are requesting to adopt a child they are currently looking after will be given a copy of the policy and procedures relating to their situation. If they wish to pursue an application to adopt, they must submit a ‘Registration of Interest in Adoption Form’ (see below) and the process will be the same as that for all adoptive enquirers. (See also Section 15, Assessment of Foster Carers who wish to Adopt a Looked After Child in their Care)
7. Enquirers requesting a second or subsequent placement:
   
   For an enquirer requesting a second or subsequent placement, information should be obtained about how long it is since they last adopted and with which agency. If it is more than three years ago, or the adoption was arranged by a different agency, or there have been significant changes in adoption practice (e.g. legal), an Information Pack must be sent and enquirers should attend an Information Meeting. If they have adopted within the last 2 – 3 years and are known to workers in the Adoption Team, a ‘Registration of Interest in Adoption’ Form can be sent. The procedure will then be the same as for new applicants subject to Section 13, Assessment of Second-time or Subsequent Adopters
8. Recruitment policy
   
   An Adoption Team Manager will regularly (monthly) review the profile (e.g. age, ethnicity, sibling groups) of the children currently awaiting placement. This information will inform recruitment policy and the choice of new applicants to take forward into the initial assessment stage. The Promotions Officer and Adoption Team members will be part of these discussions and will recruit and assess prospective adopters who can meet most of the needs of those children whom adoption is the plan.   

3. Information Meeting

3.1   Information Pack

The Information Pack contains details of, and an invitation to, the monthly Information Meeting. Enquirers who need access to interpreters or other forms of assistance with communication or access should be given the help that they require. An Adoption Team Manager may, in exceptional circumstances, decide whether to allocate a social worker to make an initial visit if the enquirers cannot attend an Information Meeting.

3.2   Information Meeting

1. The purpose of the Information Meeting
   
   The purpose of the Information Meeting is to answer the enquirers’ questions, to explain further the procedures (including the need to complete a course of Preparation Groups) and the priority recruitment needs of the service, and to discuss the eligibility criteria.  The needs of the children currently waiting for adoptive families will be outlined. 
   
   Adoption social workers and admin workers who are convening or participating in an Information Meeting and require detailed practice guidance refer to detailed Information Meeting Guidelines
   
   
2. Content of Information Meeting
   1. The enquirer(s) will have an opportunity to meet adopters and foster carers;
   2. The enquirer(s) will have an opportunity to speak privately to an adoption worker who will:
   • answer their questions,
   • complete an ‘Information Meeting Interview’ Form
   • make a decision whether or not to give the enquirer a ‘Registration of Interest in Adoption’  Form.
3. Outcome of Information Meeting
   • A decision not to give the Registration of Interest Form will be based on the enquirer clearly demonstrating that they do not meet the eligibility criteria and the reason for this will be explained to them.
   • If the enquirer does not wish to accept a decision not to give them a ‘Registration of Interest in Adoption’ form, they may speak to a Duty Manager.  If the Duty Manager is not an Adoption Manager, the issues will be discussed in the next management meeting and legal advice may be sought.  A letter will be sent to the enquirer who may request a review by the Adoption and Fostering Unit Manager. 
4. Feedback Form:
   
   Enquirers are invited to complete a Feedback Form inviting their comments on the process of the Information Meeting.

3.3  ‘Registration of Interest in Adoption’ Form

1. If the enquirers decide to register their interest, they complete and return the ‘Registration of Interest in Adoption’ Form.  A letter of acknowledgement will be sent by the admin. officer (Recruitment) informing the enquirer that within the next 28 days a named adoption social worker will contact them to arrange a home visit.
2. Once the ‘Registration of Interest in Adoption’ Form is received, the applicants will be checked on the ICS system and they will be added to the database.
3. If a decision is made not to take up the registration of interest, the reason will be set out in writing to the enquirer who will have 28 days from the date of the letter to request a review by the Adoption and Fostering Unit Manager. 

4. Home Visit

This section should be read in conjunction with local detailed Practice Guidance (to follow).

1.	During the home visit The social worker should check that the accommodation is adequate and discuss with the prospective applicants why they wish to adopt, the type of child they wish to consider and any issues arising from a discussion about their likelihood of meeting the eligibility criteria.  If any factors emerge which may have an adverse effect on an application, appropriate advice will be given about making early checks.  Prospective applicants should be specifically asked to identify anything that they know may preclude them from adopting by signing the disclaimer form provided by the admin officer (Recruitment). At the conclusion of the home visit, if appropriate, an indication may be given of the likely outcome - see ii., Outcome of Home Visit. The adoption worker will prepare a written report of the visit and submit this to an Adoption Team Manager within 10 days of the visit. The Team Manager will decide whether it is appropriate to proceed with the application. The decision will be based on the needs of the children waiting for adopters, taking into account the resources currently available within the existing pool of approved adopters. All paperwork supplied to the worker for the purpose of the home visit should be returned to the admin officer (Recruitment) along with the record of the home visit.
2.	Outcome of Home Visit At this point there are four possible outcomes: Enquirers may proceed to the next stage, and are offering a needed resource, therefore will be sent an Application Form, Medical Forms and the form to take up a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. Their statutory checks will be taken up immediately. Enquirers may proceed to the next stage, but are offering a resource less needed at present, therefore will be sent an Application Form when it is possible to progress their application. Enquirers are unsuitable to proceed: i.e. they do not meet clearly measurable Eligibility Criteria. Issues have arisen which may need following up, for example by the adoption social worker who conducted the home visit in consultation with an Adoption Team Manager.  Follow up may involve seeking out further information (e.g. medical) and further contact/discussion with the enquirers by:-
		phone letter further visit office interview
3.	The enquirers will receive a formal decision in writing from an Adoption Team Manager within 21 days of the home visit, following discussion with the social worker and the Team where appropriate
4.	Application Form: If the decision is that the applicant should proceed immediately, the letter will contain an Application Form, medical form, form for CRB check (with suggested sources of help in completing this form) and an invitation to attend the next Preparation Group.
5.	Decision not to invite an application: If there are reasons for not inviting an application, the Adoption Team Manager will write to the enquirer setting out the decision not to proceed and the reasons. Advice should be given about any steps they may take in order to meet the criteria or of how they might pursue their interest elsewhere, if appropriate. If they disagree with the decision, they will have 28 days from the date of the letter to request a review by the Adoption and Fostering Unit Manager.
6.	Issues of concern: If there appear to be issues of concern in relation to the prospective applicants’ health, the applicant should be advised to obtain a medical report from their G.P. which will be sent to the Medical Adviser, or the Medical Adviser should be consulted for advice before a decision is made.  Dependent on the outcome of the health information received and the medical advice from the Medical Adviser, an Adoption Team Manager will decide whether to proceed with the application and the decision will be communicated to the enquirer in writing with reasons.
7.	If concerns arise from the medical or statutory checks, an Adoption Team Manager will write to the applicants to inform them that certain issues must be resolved and a response must be received to the letter in 28 days of the date of the letter. The letter will indicate that no response will be regarded as a withdrawal of their interest.
8.	If the decision is made by an Adoption Team Manager that applicants are unlikely to meet eligibility criteria, they will be notified in writing or by being seen. If they choose not to withdraw, reasons for the agency’s view will be provided in writing. If they wish, a limited assessment may be presented to Adoption Panel which may result in a Qualifying Determination and will then entitle the applicants to make representations to the agency or to use the Independent Review Mechanism - see Section 8.2, Limited Report.
9.	Prospective adopter’s Adoption Case Record: If the enquirer is invited to submit an Application Form, or if there is likely to be paperwork relating to enquiries which may or may not lead to an application, a prospective adopter’s Adoption Case Record will be opened. This applies to second-time or subsequent applications, or foster carer applications, in which case copies of relevant information from other files should be placed on the new Adoption Case Record.

5. Preparation Groups and Further Training

Adoption social workers who are facilitating Preparation Groups and further training should read this section in conjunction with detailed local Practice Guidance (to follow).

1. Requirement to attend a Preparation Group
   
   All prospective adopters will be required to complete a course of Preparation Groups before their application proceeds to a full assessment. If one or both the applicants are unable to attend a session they must be able to complete all or the required part of the Preparation Group in another way or undertake another Preparation Group. If this is not possible then it is unlikely their application can be pursued.
2. Invitation to Preparation Groups
   
   Prospective adopters will receive a written invitation as part of the letter which informs them of the agency’s decision that they are eligible to proceed to an assessment.
3. Timing and choice of Groups:
   
   Groups for English speaking applicants are run at regular intervals throughout the year. South Asian applicants are offered a choice of attending groups presented in Urdu and Punjabi and run in conjunction with other member agencies of the North East Yorkshire Region Consortium. The Group sessions take place over a number of days and evenings. These are varied in order that applicants should be assured of finding a Group which suits their employment, child care or other commitments. It is an expectation that applicants are able to attend all the sessions.
4. The objectives of the Groups are:
   1. To raise awareness and understanding of the key issues which need to be addressed by all prospective adopters, including information to enable them, to understand the purpose and importance for the child of maintaining contact with the birth family.
   2. To assist applicants to consider more thoroughly the implications of adoption, the skills which are necessary for an adoptive parent and to decide whether or not adoption is right for them
   3. To assist applicants in determining the type of resource they can offer to the children needing adoptive placements.
5. Evaluation
   
   At the end of each session, participants will be asked to complete a feedback form on which they will indicate what they have learnt and their future learning needs. At the close of the Groups a leader will discuss these comments with the individual participant and complete an Evaluation Form detailing further learning needs, what resource the applicant now feels they can offer, and their availability for the Home Study. This Evaluation Form will be signed by the participant and the Group leader.  Following the Group, the Group leaders will complete a Group Leaders’ Summary based on the Evaluation Form and their observations.   This summary will be shared with the applicants during their Home Study.
6. Concerns
   
   Where issues concerning a participant emerge during the Preparation Groups, the adoption social worker should raise the issue with them in private, having first consulted with an Adoption Team Manager. If the concerns remain unresolved, an Adoption Team Manager may send a letter of invitation to meet to discuss the concerns, which should be outlined in the letter.  If the Manager decides the application should not continue, the reasons will be set out in writing.  Advice may be given about any steps they may take in order to meet the criteria or of how they might pursue their interest elsewhere, if appropriate.  Where they disagree with the decision and/or are not willing to withdraw, they might write within 28 days of the date of the letter to the Adoption Unit Manager to request a review, or they may request that a Limited Report on the application should be presented to the Adoption Panel.  In this situation, the procedure to be followed should be the same as if the report was a full Prospective Adopter's Report (see Section 8.2, Limited Report)
7. Further training sessions
   
   Preparation groups are followed by single session training in specific topics which are not covered in depth during the Preparation Groups. These cover areas such as:
   1. The implications of parental substance abuse
   2. The legal framework to adoption
   3. Contact arrangements and Letterbox Contact
   4. Explaining adoption, including the use of Life books and Later Life letters
   5. Child development and attachment

These topics will be of particular interest and relevance to prospective adopters at varying stages of the process and placement. Their social worker will assist them in deciding whether attendance is appropriate.

6. Checks and References

This section should be read in conjunction with local detailed Practice Guidance (to follow)

6.1 Checks

1. Checks required
   
   On receipt of the completed Application Forms and associated other forms, the following checks will be taken up on all adult members of the household aged 18 and over: Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) (enhanced criminal record certificates will be sought), Probation, NSPCC, Primary Care Trust, the Record of Children with a Child Protection Plan, Children’s Social Care. Where the applicants live outside Bradford, the checks must be made of the local authority where the applicants live. 
   
   The Prospective Adopter’s Report must not be completed until the agency has carried out the above Criminal Records Bureau enhanced checks in accordance with Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005, Regulation 23.
2. Children’s Social Care records
   
   If there are records held by Children’s Social Care concerning the applicant or a member or former member of the prospective adopter’s household or former household, the adoption social worker should review the records - where they are paper records, the adoption social worker must make arrangements to review the records in person.
   
   The procedure to access any paper records is:
   1. contact the Children’s Initial Contact Point Team and request access to the records;
   2. the Initial Contact Point Team will request the records and arrange a date for the adoption social worker to visit Olicana House to read the file.
3. British citizens who have lived abroad
   
   Where enquirers are British citizens and have lived abroad within the last five years, discussions will take place with them about the most appropriate way to obtain checks and references on all the members of the household aged 18 and over. 
4. Applicants who are not British citizens
   
   If they are not British citizens and it is likely that police checks will not be obtainable, they must have lived in the UK for five years.
5. Concerns arising from checks
   
   The Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 Reg. 23(5) states that when an adoption agency becomes aware that a prospective adopter or member of his household is considered unsuitable to adopt because of the information obtained about the criminal record of an applicant or a member of the applicant's household, the agency must notify the prospective adopter as soon as possible that he or she cannot be considered suitable to adopt a child.
   
   Reg. 25(7) refers to the adoption agency limiting information in a Report regarding suitability to adopt when the agency is of the opinion that the prospective adopter is unlikely to be considered to be suitable to adopt a child.
   
   This relates to information received under the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005 under:
   
   
6. Regulation 25(2) – i.e. those matters relating to information about the prospective adopter required under Part 1 of Schedule 4 (a list of 30 separate pieces of information).
7. Regulation 25(3) - the Medical Report and written reports of the interviews with referees.
8. Regulation 25(4) - the outcome of local authority checks in the area where the prospective adopter lives
9. In such “Regulation 27(5)” cases, it is important to clearly record what information has been obtained, and under which category, which would result in a likely negative recommendation regarding suitability. Assessing social workers must seek managerial and, if appropriate, legal advice as to how much leeway should be given, and when it is appropriate to present a Limited Report or when it is appropriate to continue and complete the full assessment.
10. It is essential that discussions, conclusions and reasons are recorded on the applicant’s Adoption Case Record at all stages, and that prospective adopters are notified in writing of decisions and reasons.
11. Where there is a concern about an applicant’s circumstances as a result of the information obtained from the above checks, the information which gives rise for concern must first be checked for factual accuracy and discussed with the applicant. If the information concerns a conviction which means the applicant or a member of the household may be disqualified, the social worker must take legal advice concerning the specific conviction. This may result in the applicant being advised they will be unable to proceed.
12. If as a result of checks it is apparent that there is clear ‘disqualifying’ information, the applicant will be notified in writing.
13. A situation may arise where, as a result of checks, there is information concerning a conviction or caution relating to one of the applicants (if a joint application) or an adult member of the household and this would lead to the agency terminating the application. Wherever possible, the matter should first be discussed with the person to whom the conviction or caution relates, to advise them of the need to inform the applicant and to discuss why they have not previously shared the information with the applicant.  If the information about a conviction or caution relates to one of joint applicants, the agency should ask the person with the conviction or caution why they have not shared this with the other applicant, as this may indicate a lack of trust or openness within the relationship.
    
    If the person to whom the information relates is not willing to disclose this to the applicant or allow the agency to do this, legal guidance should be sought.  Statutory Guidance indicates that the agency does not have the right to disclose the detailed information to the applicant without the subject’s consent. If such consent is not forthcoming, the applicant can only be informed that the reason for terminating the application relates to information obtained from the checks but no details can be given.
14. If the Medical Report indicates an area of concern, such as weight or mental illness, an Adoption Team Manager will usually involve a Panel Medical Adviser in taking the necessary steps to obtain more information. This may include requesting information from a Consultant.
15. If applicants have been notified they may not pursue their application, they may choose to withdraw, write to the Adoption Unit Manager within 28 days of the letter requesting a review or have a Limited Report presented to the Adoption Panel.  In this situation the procedure to be followed will be the same as if the report was a full report on the Prospective Adopters see Section 8.2, Limited Report.

6.2   Personal References

1. Number of personal references required:
   
   Where an application is accepted, applicants will be asked to provide the names of four people who could act as personal referees. As well as providing a written reference, a minimum of three referees will, as required by the Regulations, also be interviewed during the home study part of the assessment process.  Further references may be requested if this is deemed to be necessary.
2. Principles regarding choice of referees:
   1. A minimum of three of the nominated referees will be visited; one of these can be a relative.
   2. The referees must be adults who have known the applicants for at least two years and at least one of the referees should have known the applicants for at least five years.
   3. Referees should be people who know the applicants well in a personal capacity; if a work colleague is chosen they must know the applicant well outside of work. 
   4. If a couple are nominated as referees, this will be treated as one reference.
   5. Where there is a joint application, at least two of the referees should know both applicants, or additional referees will be required.
3. Previous applications:
   
   Where the prospective applicant has made a previous application to foster or adopt, the relevant agency must be asked to confirm in writing the outcome of the application and provide a written reference.
4. Timing of request for written references:
   
   At the request of the assessing social worker, the admin officer (Recruitment) will send letters requesting written references and this will be recorded on the applicant’s Adoption Case Record.
5. Timing of visit to referees:
   
   It is helpful to visit referees approximately half way through the assessment, as the worker will have had sufficient time to acquire some sense of the applicant’s strengths and vulnerabilities, but will leave enough time to pursue any concerns the referees may raise. It is desirable that the referees have direct experience of caring for children, either in a personal or professional capacity.
6. Confidentiality:
   
   At the start of the interview, the referee should be informed that the written report of the interview will not be shared with the applicants but that any issues arising during the interview may be discussed with them.
7. Insufficient information:
   
   If it becomes clear that the referee has insufficient knowledge or that their views have no sound basis, then another reference should be sought.
8. Relatives’ references:
   
   A key relative may also be interviewed. This provides the opportunity to assess and verify historical and background issues in the family, which may have a current and future impact on the applicant(s) ability to be adoptive parents, and to assess the nature of the support that the relative may be able to offer.
9. Information from children of former partnerships: 
   
   Many applicants will have had former partnerships and may have children as a result of these relationships. Applicants must be asked to inform the agency if they have been involved in any Family Court proceedings.
   
   If children of any former partners are living with the applicant, they will be interviewed as part of the assessment, in accordance with the Regulatory Authority Practice Guidance.
   
   Also, in accordance with the Regulatory Authority Practice Guidance, 'Preparing and Assessing Prospective Adopters', (2006), the assessing social worker must make contact with any children of former relationships who are not living with the applicant. This will apply to children born of relationships whether or not the parents were living together. The nature of the contact will depend on their age and circumstances. 
   
   If the child cannot be directly contacted, an Adoption Team Manager must give agreement to any alternative means of corroborating the evidence and the reasons for not approaching the child must be carefully documented.
10. Information from former partners:
    1. Key information about the parenting capacity of the applicant, and information about any risk of domestic violence, may come from a former partner who has jointly parented or cared for a child with the applicant, and it is therefore the agency’s policy that any such former partners should be contacted and interviewed.  Where the former partner has not jointly parented with the applicant, he or she should also be contacted in order to corroborate information given by the applicant about the nature of the relationship and the reasons for its ending. A judgement should then be made about the desirability of directly interviewing the former partner. A standard letter is available for the purpose of contacting the former partner.
    2. If there are significant difficulties in contacting a former partner, an Adoption Team Manager should be consulted as to alternative ways of verifying the information given. This may be obtained from one or more of the referees already nominated by the applicant; or they may put forward another referee who has particular knowledge of the applicant at the relevant stage of their life. Corroboration of the reason for the ending of the relationship may also be sought from CAFCASS or any lawyer who had been involved.
    3. If the former partner cannot or is not to be directly contacted, an Adoption Team Manager must give agreement to the alternative means of corroborating the evidence, such as details of any previous court hearings. The reasons for not approaching the former partner must be carefully documented. 
11. Information from employers/training/voluntary work:
    
    At an early stage of the home study, the social worker will discuss with the applicant the requirement to make a written approach to their workplace (or place of study, training or voluntary work). The purpose of this contact is to obtain verification of the information supplied, such as the hours of work or nature of training.  If making contact with the workplace is likely to cause difficulties, (e.g. an applicant not wishing to make known that they are in the early stages of an adoption application because of insecurity of employment), alternative ways of obtaining verification can be explored. An employer will be asked to verify the applicant’s National Insurance Number. 
    
    A standard letter is available for this purpose.
    
    If the applicant’s work, training or voluntary work involves contact with children, a fuller reference should be requested.
12. Information from schools or nurseries attended by any children of the applicants:
    
    The assessing social worker will contact the schools or nurseries attended by any children of the applicants for the purpose of verification of information given by the applicants regarding their parenting ability. The purpose is not to obtain the school’s opinion of these applicants’ general parenting ability, but to
    1. verify how long the child has been at the school/nursery,
    2. discover if any concerns have arisen about the child’s attendance, presentation or behaviour in school,
    3. obtain an opinion as to how the applicants engage in the education of their child.
       
       A standard letter is available for this purpose.

6.3  Health

Adoption social workers should read this section in conjunction with the Detailed Practice Guidance (to follow).

1. Requirement for a medical examination:
   
   On receipt of their application form, the applicants will have been asked to arrange for an adoption medical examination and to obtain a report from their GP on Form AH, unless the Medical Adviser does not consider such a medical examination is necessary, for example, where the applicant is a foster carer and a recent health report is already available. In such a situation the Medical Adviser must be shown the fostering medical, to ensure that the medical information available is sufficiently detailed and up to date and to give an adoption perspective.
2. Concerns regarding health:
   
   Where the applicant’s GP has expressed concerns or where clarification of the implications of any health issues is required, detailed advice must be sought from the Medical Adviser and the implications fully discussed with the applicant. The Medical Adviser will give guidance as to what further information is required and will request information from specialists as appropriate. If it considered necessary to share further information with the applicants from the Medical Form completed by the GP, the social worker should seek the guidance of the Medical Adviser and, if necessary, legal advice should be sought.

6.4 Concerns which lead to an agency decision not to pursue an application

Where the agency has any concerns about the applicant’s suitability to adopt, the applicant should be informed of the agency’s opinion they would not be considered suitable. Where the applicant disagrees with this opinion and/or is not willing to withdraw, a Limited Report on the application should be presented to the Adoption Panel and the procedure to be followed should be the same as if the report was a full report on the Prospective Adopter See Section 8.2, Limited Report.

7. Home Study/Assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with local Detailed Practice Guidance (to follow)

1. Who may undertake the Home Study/Assessment:
   
   The Home Study/Assessment must be carried out by a qualified social worker with suitable experience (see Placement for Adoption Procedure).
2. Timescales:
   1. The worker should be allocated within 4 weeks of the completion of the Preparation Group. Where this is not possible an Adoption Team Manager should write to the prospective adopters explaining the reason for the delay. If the delay continues the manager should write to them every four weeks explaining the reasons for the delay.
   2. The time taken to complete the Home Study/Assessment after a formal application has been received will generally be no more than eight months unless the need for additional work with the prospective adopters is identified or recommended by the Adoption Panel. 
   3. The social worker should, during the early stage of the Home Study, identify a prospective date for the presentation of the assessment to the Adoption Panel and provisionally book this with the Admin. Officer (Adoption).
      
      Where the timescale is not met, the Adoption Panel should record the reason.
3. Preparation and Self-Description Form:
   
   On the first visit, the worker should ensure that the applicants are preparing for the Home Study by starting to complete the Self-Description Form which they were given at the end of the Preparation Group. They will have been given a template for the Prospective Adopter’s Report and may also be given written information, such as a BAAF publication, which explains the nature and purpose of the Home Study.
4. Individuals to be interviewed:
   
   The assessment will comprise a series of interviews, the majority of which will take place in the applicants’ home. If a partnership is being assessed, each partner should be seen individually at least once. All other members of the household will also be interviewed, including the children who, if old enough, should be seen on their own as well as in the family group. The social worker must assess whether the applicants have considered the implications of adoption for the existing children in the family.
   
   As part of the assessment:
   • A family tree and Chronology of key events in the applicant's life must be compiled, showing his or her educational, employment, marital and/or relationship history and addresses for the previous 10 years; any gaps and/or unusual patterns should be explored.
   • All information provided by the applicant must be independently verified where possible, by checking it against other sources such as referees.  See "Preparing and Assessing Prospective Adopters", Practice Guidance (Chapter 2).
   • Where an applicant has been divorced or separated, factors contributing to the breakdown of the relationship must be verified.  This applies equally to significant relationships between couples who are not married.
     
     The adequacy and safety of the prospective adoptive home and transport will be assessed
5. Recording:
   
   All contacts with applicants will be recorded. The recording will include: date, name of applicant, purpose of session, who was seen, key topics covered, areas for further action, social worker’s signature. Handwritten notes will be kept until the information is incorporated into the Prospective Adopter’s Report (limited or full report).
6. Concerns:
   
   If, during the early stage of the Home Study, any issues emerge which cast doubt upon the suitability of the applicants, such issues should be discussed openly with the applicants at the time, following discussion with an Adoption Team Manager. If the concerns cannot be resolved, they should be offered the opportunity to withdraw or have a Limited Prospective Adopter’s Report presented to the Adoption Panel, which may may be prepared without the need for a full and detailed Home Study/Assessment - see 8.2, Limited Report

8. Prospective Adopter’s Report

8.1 Process of completing and presenting the report

1. Timescale:
   
   The gathering of information for the Prospective Adopter’s Report will, if there are no delays, usually take two to three months and the Panel date should be confirmed as soon as possible. Three to four weeks should be allowed for the drafting of the report, a second opinion visit to be made when necessary, 10 days for the applicants to read and comment on their report, and 13 days for the paperwork to be submitted to the Admin Officer (Adoption) for it to be sent to Panel members 11 days prior to the Panel meeting.
2. Content:
   
   The information gathered during the Home Study/Assessment, the Preparation Groups and the checks and personal references, will form the basis of the Prospective Adopter's Report. The report will also include a summary by the Medical Adviser of the health report obtained on the applicant/s. The report must contain a photograph of the applicant/s. The full list of what must be included in the Prospective Adopter’s Report is set out in the Adoption Agencies Regulations 2005, Regulation 25 and Schedule 4, Part 1, and Part 2 in relation to health matters.
   
   Reports should address anti-discriminatory practice issues. They should contain a summary of the assessed strengths and weaknesses of the applicants, how the weaknesses might be addressed, and an opinion of the type of placement likely to be provided successfully. Potential risk factors should be highlighted.
   
   Once the assessing social worker has completed the report, it should be submitted to the Adoption Team Manager for approval.
   
   If there are any issues of concern raised in the Home Study/Assessment or there are issues which require clarification, the manager should obtain a second opinion on those issues from another experienced practitioner.
3. Applicants’ views:
   
   When the Report is finalised, it will be sent to the applicants by the admin officer (Adoption) with a request for them to set out their views on the report. Applicants will be asked to sign and return the report and send their comments. It will be explained to them that they have 10 working days to do this, starting from the date on which the notification is sent, and prior to the Report and their comments being distributed to Panel members.
   
   Applicants should not be shown any comments made by referees.
4. Applicants’ attendance at Panel:
   
   Applicants will be informed of the date of the Adoption Panel meeting and invited to attend for the consideration of the Report. The decision to attend rests with the applicants and a wish not to attend will not prejudice consideration of their application. 
   
   They will be provided with written information about the Panel process, its membership, who will attend and their respective roles. An interpreter or signer can be arranged where necessary and a single applicant may be accompanied by someone whom they have identified as being a significant source of support to them.
   
   If the applicants know a particular Panel member, the applicant may request that the Panel member stand down. (Panel members are in any event expected to declare an interest in these circumstances - see Adoption Panel Procedure).
5. Paperwork required:
   
   13 days prior to the Adoption Panel meeting, the assessing social worker will provide the Admin Officer (Adoption) with 16 copies of the required paperwork. 
   
   The required paperwork is:
   1. Prospective Adopter’s Report,
   2. Form signed by prospective adopter(s) to confirm that they have seen the report, along with their comments, if any, and their desire for the Panel to proceed,
   3. Chronology completed by applicant – set out as an integral part of the text,
   4. Financial details relating to income and expenditure, as set out on the Self-Description Form,
   5. All written personal references that have been received (not retyped), along with a report of the interviews with the referees,
   6. A written report from the employer, place of training or voluntary work (not retyped),
   7. A written report from school or nursery attended by any child (birth or adopted) of the applicant,
   8. An ecomap and family tree,
   9. A pet questionnaire if an applicant has a dog, and any other pet if considered necessary.
      
      Any other relevant document should be included
      
      The Admin Officer (Adoption) will send a set of papers to each Panel member 11 working days before the relevant Adoption Panel meeting. A full copy of the applicant’s medical report will be sent to the Panel's Medical Adviser.

The manager will check that the report is accurate, up to date and contains evidence-based information before it is presented to the Adoption Panel.

The Admin Officer (Adoption) will send a set of papers to each Panel member 11 working days before the relevant Adoption Panel meeting. A full copy of the applicant's medical report will be sent to the Panel's Medical Adviser.

8.2 Limited Report

1. Paperwork required:
   
   Where it is considered appropriate to present a Limited Report to Panel, it should consist of:
   • The factual, introductory part of the Prospective Adopter’s Report which will include:
     • when the application was made and a chronology of events and actions undertaken by the agency and the applicant
     • members of the household and other family members
     • date of and outcome of statutory checks,
     • health issues and Medical Adviser’s report if relevant
     • legal issues
     • details of marriage/civil registration
   • A summary of the initial assessment process (relevant information from the Information Meeting, Home Visit and Preparation Group);
   • A summary of the reasons for the presentation to Panel of a Limited Report – outlining why the social worker has concluded that the applicants are unlikely to be suitable to adopt;
   • Reports of any references that have been undertaken;
   • The applicants’ comments on the Limited Report.
2. Other paperwork to be included will be determined by the stage of the Home Study/Assessment which has been reached. The assessing social worker should check the latest Department for Education guidance regarding required paperwork.
3. Panel recommendation and agency decision: On considering the Limited Report, the Adoption Panel can make one of two recommendations:
   • That a full assessment is to be made
   • That the applicant is not suitable to adopt.
4. The recommendation of the Panel will be considered by the Agency Decision Maker. The Agency Decision Maker can make a decision that:
   • a full assessment is to be undertaken, or
     the applicant is unsuitable to adopt – this is a Qualifying Determination
   • If a Qualifying Determination is made that the applicant is unsuitable to adopt, he/she must be notified in writing. The applicant may then choose:
     • To accept the Qualifying Determination and to withdraw, or
     • To request a review by the Independent Review Mechanism, or
     • To make representations to the agency.
       For further details, see Section 11, Options following Decision not to Approve Applicants.

9. The Panel Recommendation

The assessing social worker will attend the Adoption Panel meeting (with his or her manager where appropriate), together with the applicants if they so wish. 

Before going into the Adoption Panel, the assessing social worker and applicants will have opportunity to consider the questions the Panel have prepared during their briefing session.  Where the applicants do not attend, the assessing social worker will discuss the questions with them by phone if possible, and will inform the Panel of the applicants’ views.

The Panel will consider the Prospective Adopter’s Report together with all the supporting documentation (see 8.1(vii)) and any additional information presented verbally, and make a recommendation to their Agency Decision Make regarding the suitability of the applicant to adopt a child. 

The recommendation will be recorded in writing and, where approval is recommended, any advice given about the number of children the prospective adopter may be suitable to adopt, their age range, sex, likely needs and background.  The Adoption Panel may also make suggestions about any actions which the applicants may need to take following recommendations.  Such actions may include making links with adopters who can share their experiences of adopting the age range and number of children the applicants wish to adopt.

Reasons for the recommendations, any advice as set out above and any suggestions for actions needed to be taken by the applicants, will also be recorded in the Panel’s minutes.

Following the consideration of the application, the Adoption Panel chair will verbally advise the applicants of the outcome which may be to recommend approval, rejection or deferment.

If the Adoption Panel has decided to defer making a recommendation, the reasons for this will be explained to the applicants by the Panel Chair. The reason will usually be to give time for some more work or to obtain more information on a particular issue.  An explanation of the work needed will be put in writing to the applicants within 7 days of the Panel recommendation.

10. After the Panel Recommendation

1. Decision and timescale:
   
   The Agency Decision Maker will make a decision as to the suitability of the applicant, and express a view on any Panel advice given, based on the minutes detailing the Panel’s recommendation. The Adoption Panel Adviser will liaise with the Agency Decision Maker; no member of Panel may take part in any discussions with the Agency Decision Maker.
   
   The decision must be made within 7 working days of the Adoption Panel meeting and must be recorded by a signature on the minutes. The Agency Decision Maker may add any additional comments or observations to the recorded reasons in the minutes.
2. Notification of decision:
   
   The Panel Adviser will arrange for the applicants to be given oral notification of the decision within 2 working days and written notice of the decision, signed by the Adoption and Fostering Unit Manager, within 5 working days of the decision.
3. Approval Pack:
   
   If the prospective adopters have been approved, they will receive a letter of approval from the Unit Manager, a copy of the Minutes of the Panel recommendation, and a pack which will include:
   1. information about the Bradford Association for Foster Carers and Adopters,
   2. information about statutory adoption leave and pay,
   3. a request for the prospective adopters to indicate their agreement to their details being sent to the North East Yorkshire Region Consortium and the Adoption Register at the appropriate time, prospective adopters' details may be passed to the Adoption Register immediately after their approval (if they consent) if it appears unlikely there will be a placement with a child in their area or if no locally identified match is being actively pursued at the latest 3 months.
   4. a request for the prospective adopters to indicate their agreement to abide by Bradford Council’s policies on confidentiality and the behaviour management of Looked After children,
   5. a leaflet outlining the principles and elements of financial support.
   6. Where the Agency Decision Maker is minded to disagree with the Panel recommendation, he/she should first discuss the case with another senior officer with the appropriate experience, who should not be a Panel member. This discussion must be recorded and placed on the prospective adopter’s Adoption Case Record.
4. Decision not to approve:
   
   If the Agency Decision Maker decides not to approve the applicants, they will be informed in writing that the agency ‘proposes not to approve the prospective adopter as suitable to adopt a child’ – this is a Qualifying Determination - see Section 11, Options following Decision not to Approve Applicants.
   
   An Adoption Team Manager will prepare the letter giving the decision, the reasons and the options available to the applicants.  This letter is sent by the Admin Officer (Adoption) to the Agency Decision Maker who will send it to the applicants, with a signed copy returned to the Unit for the file.  The letter explains the three options the applicants may take and includes the BAAF leaflet explaining the ‘Independent Review Mechanism’.

11. Options following Decision not to Approve Applicants

The three options available to an applicant who has received a Qualifying Determination are:

• Option 1: Acceptance of the Qualifying Determination;
• Option 2: Representation to the agency;
• Option 3: Application to an Independent Review Panel for a review.

11.1 Option 1   Acceptance of qualifying determination:

The applicants are asked to advise the Agency Decision Maker within 40 working days if their preferred option is to accept the determination. If they write to indicate this is their choice, or there is no response from them within the 40 working days, or they have not indicated they wish to follow Option 2, or there has been no communication from the Independent Review Mechanism (see below), a letter is prepared by an Adoption Team Manager which sets out the formal decision not to approve the applicants. This letter is sent to the Agency Decision Maker who signs it and sends it to the applicants. A copy is retained for the file.

If the applicants do not accept the Qualifying Determination, they must choose which of the other two methods they prefer to request a review as they have no right to use both methods.

11.2  Option 2  Representations to the agency:

The applicants may make representation to the agency within 40 working days; the Unit Manager would normally receive these. Where further representations to the agency are made, the case may be referred to Adoption Panel for further consideration, but it is not obliged to do so.  When the case is referred to the Adoption Panel, it must consider the case again and make a fresh recommendation.  The Panel’s recommendation will be taken into account when the final decision is made by the Agency Decision Maker

. The applicant may attend the Panel discussion, with a friend or supporter to accompany them.

Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must be sent to the applicant within 7 working days of the decision of the Agency Decision Maker.  The letter will include a copy of the Panel minutes.  A copy of the report to the Panel, Panel’s recommendation and the decision must be retained on the applicant’s Adoption Case Record.

11.3 Option 3  Application to the Independent Review Panel for a Review:

The letter informing the applicants of the Qualifying Determination and the options available to them will include information about the Independent Review Mechanism and its website.

The Independent Review Mechanism is a ‘Review Panel’ which will make a recommendation to the agency on the suitability of the applicants to be adoptive parents.  The Review Panel makes its recommendation after considering the following:

• the agency’s determination and reasons,
• the Adoption Panel’s recommendation if different from the agency’s determination,
• the information presented to the Adoption Panel,
• any relevant information received by the agency after the papers had been sent to the Adoption Panel,
• the prospective adopter’s grounds for Review

The Independent Review Mechanism has its own legal and medical advice and can request the agency to obtain further relevant information.

1. The applicants must apply to the Independent Review Panel in writing, setting out the reasons for the requested review.  The applicant may provide further written information and may make oral submissions to the Review.  The request for a Review must be received by the Independent Review Panel within 40 working days (AAR 27 (4) (c)) of the date of the letter from the Agency Decision Maker giving the decision and explaining the options available to the applicant.  The applicant may be accompanied by a friend for support and by a helper, for example, an interpreter.
2. The Agency Liaison Officer (currently an Adoption Team Manager) must submit the required information to the Independent Review Panel.  The agency representative best placed to answer any questions the Review Panel may have is also invited to attend.
3. The Review Panel will make a written recommendation on the applicant’s suitability and will send the recommendation and reasons to the applicant and the agency. It is not a higher appellate authority and cannot overturn the agency’s ‘Determination’. 
4. Within 7 working days of receiving the recommendation, the Agency Decision Maker must make a decision on the prospective adopter’s suitability, taking into account the Independent Review Panel’s recommendation and that of the original Adoption Panel. This decision must be conveyed orally to the prospective adopter within 24 hours and confirmed in writing within 7 working days. 
5. The Independent Review Mechanism has a role ONLY in relation to applicants for approval as prospective adopters and does NOT have a role in relation to a proposed placement. Therefore, if applicants have come forward to adopt a specific child, the Independent Review Mechanism would only be able to consider their suitability to adopt.
6. After considering the representations, the Independent Review may make a recommendation, which the Agency Decision Maker will consider before a final decision is made.  This must be within 7 days of receiving the recommendation. If the Independent Review Mechanism is considering a Limited Report, the Agency Decision Maker can decide that the applicant is unsuitable or recommend that a full report should be prepared.
7. Written notice of the final decision, together with reasons, must be conveyed orally to the applicant within 24 hours and confirmed in writing within 7 working days.
8. A copy of the report to the Panel, the Panel’s recommendation and the decision must be retained on the applicant’s Adoption Case Record.

12. Post Approval Period and Review of Prospective Adopters’ Approval

This section should be read in conjunction with local Detailed Practice Guidance (to follow)

12.1 Work with prospective adopters following approval

All approved applicants will be allocated an adoption worker (usually the social worker who undertook the assessment) whose task is to support the adopters through the period of waiting for a placement, identify any further training needs, arrange updated medical examinations as requested by the Medical Adviser, consider any potential placements and discuss any such possible placements with the approved adopters before presenting a recommendation of a proposed placement to the Adoption Panel.  The family’s adoption worker will visit approximately every 6 weeks. A report of each visit will be kept on the adopters’ Adoption Case Record.

Approved adopters will be given more information about how the matching process works. They will be informed of the possibility of being matched with a Bradford child or one identified through the North East Yorkshire Region Consortium or the Adoption Register. In most situations, they will be encouraged to be available for 3 months for Bradford children, after which, with their permission, a search may be activated by the external means. For further information regarding referral to the North East Yorkshire Region Consortium or the Adoption Register, see the local Detailed Practice Guidance (to follow).

Prospective adopters will also be informed of ways in which they may prepare themselves for a potential placement, continue their learning by attending further training sessions provided by the Unit (see Section 5, Preparation Groups and Further Training), the opportunities for support post-placement and the need to keep their worker informed of any significant changes in their circumstances. 

Once they have been approved for at least 3 months, adopters may refer themselves to the Adoption Register if their social worker has not already done so. The adopter will need to complete a self referral form (AD02) which can be supplied by their worker, or can be downloaded from the website and sent to the Adoption Register. When the Adoption Register staff receive the form, they will ask the social worker for the adopter’s details. 

Adopters have their own telephone help-line (0870 750 2176) on which, once their identity has been verified, they can be given general advice and information about the number of times their details have been sent out to social workers for consideration. The adopters can then ask their own social worker for the reasons a particular link has not been pursued. 

12.2  Reviews

12.2.1 Timescale

The approval of prospective adopters who have not yet had a child placed with them will be reviewed whenever it is considered necessary, and otherwise:

• one year after approval, and afterwards
• at intervals of not more than a year.

12.2.2 Person to undertake review:

The review may be undertaken by a social worker other than the adopters’ worker or, if there are likely to be matters of concern, a manager.

12.2.3 Preparation for the Review

Prior to the review, the prospective adopters ’social worker will prepare:

• A summary of the steps taken by the agency and the adopters to achieve a proposed placement, and the outcome;
• An outline of any significant circumstances in the prospective adopters’ lives since their approval or last review.
• If it is known that there have been changes in regard to the health of one of the prospective adopters, their worker will consult with the Medical Adviser if necessary, and arrange to seek further information by:
  • written updated report from the GP, or
  • request for further examination, or
  • updates from a specialist

12.2.4   Matters for consideration during the Review

• What is the prospective adopters’ view of the efforts made to achieve a proposed placement?  How do they feel about the delay in matching?  What impact has it made on their lives?
• Are there any indications that the prospective adopters might wish to alter their stated preferences about placements?
• What is the prospective adopters’ view of the time since their approval or last review?
• What changes have taken place since their approval/last review?  Include:
  • family circumstances
  • Economic circumstances
  • Work commitments
• Are police and other statutory checks still up to date? (It is agency policy to renew these every 2 years)
• Have there been any changes in the household which would require police or other statutory checks?  (e.g. a young person reaching 18 or an adult joining the household)
• Does the health of the prospective adopters remain unchanged? It is agency policy to renew the health assessment every two years.  Form AH2 should be used for the first update, unless the applicant has health problems which have implications for the care of the child or where the original Form AH indicated areas of concern.  BAAF guidance recommends that it is best practice for a review health assessment to be carried out every two years, with form AH and AH2 used on alternate reviews.
  
  If this has not already happened, any changes will be discussed with the Medical Adviser – see 12.2.3, Preparation for the Review.

12.2.5 Outcome of Review:

1. Decision that the prospective adopters are still considered suitable:
2. If the decision is made that the prospective adopters are still considered suitable, they will be notified in writing and sent a copy of the Review report.
3. A copy of the Report, decision, and notification will be placed on their Adoption Case Record. The Report and decision will be included with the Adoption Placement Report at the time of the presentation of a proposed placement to Panel.
4. If it is considered that the prospective adopters may no longer be suitable:
   1. Their worker will complete the form ‘Report Back to Adoption Panel – Adopters’ and attach their Review report.  These will be presented to Panel.  See Sections 9, The Panel Recommendation and Section 10, After the Panel Recommendation above for the procedure;
   2. The prospective adopters will be notified and sent a copy of the Review report; 
   3. They will have 10 working days from the date of the provision of the report in which to make comments;
   4. The prospective adopters will be welcome to attend the Panel;
   5. The Panel’s recommendation will be submitted to the Agency Decision Maker;
   6. If the prospective adopters are considered no longer suitable, the same procedure for making representations will be followed as set out in Section 11, Options following Decision not to Approve Applicants.

12.3 Adopters matched with a child from another agency

If a child of another adoption agency is being considered for placement with a Bradford adoptive family, the proposed placement will be considered by the Adoption Panel of that agency.  The family’s worker must ensure that s/he and the family have received all the relevant information before proceeding to a placement.  (See Placement for Adoption Procedure)

The adopters’ social worker must inform the Admin Officer (Adoption) of the approval of a placement between the Bradford adopters and a child from another agency.  The Admin Officer (Adoption) will create an Adoption Case Record for the child. 

The adopters’ social worker will complete ‘Report Back to Adoption Panel – Adopters’ providing information about the approval of the proposed placement. 

13. Assessment of Second-time or Subsequent Adopters

13.1 Timescales and age-range

• An application to adopt again would not usually be accepted within 12 months of the making of the Adoption Order for the previous child.
• There should be a minimum age gap of 18 months between the youngest child in the family and the child to be placed.
• At the time of presentation to Panel for approval, the applicants must be able to take a child up to the age of at least 12 months

An exception to the above timescales may be where the placement of a sibling of a child already adopted is being considered. In such a situation, the older child may have been adopted less than 12 months previously, or there may be an age gap between the two children of less than 18 months. Such circumstances need to be considered as part of a wider discussion about the benefits and disadvantages of enabling siblings to be brought up together, and a decision reached about what is in the best interests of these children. (See 13.3, Application to adopt a sibling of a child already adopted)

13.2  Process

13.2.1  The process and nature of the assessment:

The process and nature of the assessment of ‘second-time adopters’ will depend on how much time has elapsed since their previous adoption. The agency must make arrangements for the applicants to receive such preparation for adoption as the agency considers appropriate.

1.	Process for enquirers whose previous adoption was some years ago or through a different agency: The assessment process, the law relating to the placement of children for adoption, and the type of children needing adoption may have significantly changed since the enquirers were previously assessed. If this is the case, the process should be the same as that for new applicants. The Home Study part of the assessment will recognise that the applicant’s early history will be the same as previously recorded, but their recent history will need updating.
2.	For enquirers who have adopted through Bradford within the last two to three years, and are likely to be known to the Adoption Team, their assessment process will entail:
	1.	Initial Assessment:
	2.	Completion of a Registration Form,
	3.	Home Visit, to be undertaken by a worker different from the worker for the previous adoption,
	4.	Updating of all statutory checks.  Applicants would usually be required to attend for a full medical,
	5.	Attendance at a one-day Preparation Group for ‘Second time adopters’.  These are held approximately every 12 – 18 months, when there are sufficient participants.  Since they are infrequent, the assessment should not be delayed until a Preparation Group is held.  The applicants can attend the first available group, which may be during their Home Study or whilst they are waiting to be matched with a child.  The subjects covered in the Group include:  preparation and adjustment of children already in the family; sibling rivalry; explaining to the child about background and status, handling differences in background, circumstances and contact, placement and adoption.  The applicants may also be invited to training sessions on single topics (see Section 5, Preparation Groups and Further Training), if they did not have opportunity during their first assessment.
	6.	Home Study: Topics to be covered are: Any significant changes since completion of previous Prospective Adopter’s Report, for example work, house, family situation Children in household: Pen-picture Work done with children by assessing worker Children’s understanding of adoption and preparation for next placement Experience of Parenting and Adjustment to Parenthood: Applicants’ adjustment – individually and as a couple Parenting style – what methods of discipline Dealing with adoption issues, including openness and contact. Family Life Support Networks Motivation and Expectations of another child/Matching criteria Social worker’s Assessment.
	7.	Referees will be visited in the same way as a new application (see Section 6, Checks and References). Referees can be the same as previously, or one or more may be different. It is helpful to visit at least one of the same referees as last time, to obtain their observations on their predictions.
	8.	Format of Prospective Adopter’s Report: A new Part 1 will be completed Part 2:  This will set out an analysis of the topics covered during the latest assessment. The updated assessment and updating of the Report will apply to all relevant areas of the assessment. Much of the text of the original report may be incorporated in the update along with comment and evaluation of any developments and changes. If the applicants have already adopted a second child, their previous reports should be revised and updated in the relevant sections to reflect the information that has been gathered and analysed during the third, or subsequent, assessment. This will ensure that the new report is cohesive and avoids the pitfalls of adding a second addendum to the report.
	9.	Completion of papers for Panel. These will consist of: Front Sheet with details of purpose of application, contents of report, significant dates (First Approval, Approval of proposed placement, Placement, Adoption, Second Application) New Prospective Adopter’s Report, Part 1, plus references Part 2 completed as indicated in iii. above. Prospective adopters' comments on the Report and their signature. Set of up-to-date medicals for the adopters for the Agency Medical Adviser Panel Minutes from previous approval(s) Panel Minutes from previous approval of the proposed placement(s). Report if an annual Review has been conducted and Minutes if presented to Panel.
	10.	16 copies of all the above paperwork, except for the medicals, are required.  However, the Admin Officer (Adoption) may already have several copies of much of the paperwork, and so only the required number of documents should be photocopied.
	11.	The process from this point is the same as for ‘first time’ adopters – see Sections 9, The Panel Recommendation, Section 10, After the Panel Recommendation and Section 11, Options following Decision not to Approve Applicants.

13.2.2 Review of approval

If there is a significant wait to be matched, and the youngest child is therefore growing older, the adopters and their worker may wish to review the age range which they are considering and on which Panel may have given advice. If one year elapses following approval, there must be a review of the prospective adopters' approval (see Section 12, Post Approval Period and Review of Approved Prospective Adopter's Approval).  If the prospective adopters are still considered suitable to adopt, even if the Review suggests a change in Panel’s advice concerning the age range and number of children they are suitable to adopt, there is no need to present the Review Report to Panel.  The Report will accompany the Adoption Placement Report at the time of a Panel discussion of a proposed placement.  If the Review considers that the prospective adopters are no longer suitable to adopt, a brief report must be presented to Panel.

13.3  Application to adopt a sibling of a child already adopted

13.3.1 Informing adopters of birth of a sibling of a child already adopted, and of an adoption plan for that child (where relevant)

1. Adopters must be informed wherever possible of any further siblings born to either or both of the birth parents of a child already placed with them for adoption or adopted by them. This is for the purpose of:
2. their child’s own information;
3. for them to respond to a request to provide health and development information about their child for the information of subsequent child if the plan for that child is adoption;
4. in order that they may volunteer their interest in adopting the subsequent child (if the plan for that child is adoption) if this seems appropriate to them.
   
   A pro forma letter is available for this purpose.
   
   
5. As soon as there is an indication that the plan for any subsequent child may be adoption, the child’s social worker should inform an Adoption Team Manager. If a family finder has not already been appointed, the Manager will decide who will inform the families of the adopted siblings. 

13.3.2 Response to indication of interest in adopting the sibling

1. The child’s social worker and family finder should consider the possibility of an expression of interest in adoption at the earliest stages of planning for the child, so that they are in a position to respond appropriately. If the planning suggests adoption into the family of an adopted sibling may be in the best interest of the child, the process for assessment is set out in 13.3, Process.
2. If adoption by the adopters of a sibling is not seen to be a desirable outcome, the reasons should be formally recorded. The adopters should be informed by a letter from an Adoption Team Manager of the decision and reasons, clearly indicating that this decision has been reached jointly between the Adoption Unit and Care Management workers.  Information must also be given about how they might query or challenge this decision. 

13.3.3 Process

1. Timescales and age-range:
   
   A response to a clear indication of interest in adopting the child would follow the process outlined in this section for all '‘second-time’ adopters. However, it may be that a sibling is available for adoption before the 12 months consolidating time recommended above  Also the age gap may be less than 18 months between the child in placement and the sibling requiring adoption. The benefits of the time delay and age-gap may be outweighed by the value of siblings growing up together, and so the assessment process may commence earlier, with a focus on the adopters’ ability to cope with 2 children close to each other in age, and the likely adjustment of the child already adopted.
2. Home Study: 
   
   Whilst the social worker for the child will not necessarily need to be fully involved in all the assessment visits, their view as to what is in the best interests of the child should be ascertained at all stages. Also, it may be helpful for them to be involved in sharing full information about the child directly with the applicants.
3. Format of Report:
   
   The format will be an updated Prospective Adopter’s Report (see Section 8, Prospective Adopter's Report). Topics to cover will be the same as for all second time or subsequent adopters – see 13.2.1 (ii) – except that ‘Motivation and Expectations of another child/Matching criteria’ will need to be changed to ‘Motivation and Ability to meet needs of child being considered.’
4. Paperwork required for Panel:
   
   the paperwork for Panel will be as set out in 13.2.1 (iv), plus:
   
   the Adoption Placement Report and Child’s Permanence Report in relation to the proposed placement where consideration of the proposed placement of the child is scheduled to take place at the same time as approval of the prospective adopters (which is the most likely scenario).
5. Agency decision:
   
   If, following a Panel recommendation, the agency decision is not to approve the applicants, they may accept the decision, make representations to the agency or request a review by the Independent Review Mechanism - see Section 11, Options following Decision not to Approve Applicants. However, the agency decision regarding a proposed placement does not carry the same entitlement to request a review by the Independent Review Mechanism.  

13.4   Assessment of applicants who have adopted a child and wish to offer themselves as adopters of a sibling of that child who could initially be placed with them on a fostering basis

Early planning for the adoption or early permanence planning of an unborn child may indicate the possibility of placing that child with an older sibling who is already adopted. In an exceptional circumstance, it may be considered desirable to place the child  immediately with the adopters of the sibling. This has the potential to prevent the child having to live with other foster parents until Authority to Place for Adoption has been achieved. 

If it is thought that the adopters of the older sibling may be willing to take the younger child on a fostering basis prior to moving towards adoption, the child’s social worker and family finder must consult the allocated solicitor. If it is considered there is a real prospect of the child returning home, such an option cannot be considered  However, where there is agreement of low legal risk and time for advanced planning, such adopters would need to be assessed as both foster carers and prospective adopters. 

13.4.1 Assessment considerations

An assessment of such applicants must consider their suitability as both prospective adopters and as foster carers.  Particular consideration will be given to the applicants’ understanding of the need to:

• facilitate direct contact (working directly with the birth parents if necessary) during proceedings
• participate in Looked After Reviews to which birth parents are invited
• work within the Fostering Regulations regarding the sharing of Parental Responsibility between the local authority and birth parents;

13.4.2 The process of assessment

Note that the report on the suitability of the applicants must first be presented to the Adoption Panel.  If considered to be suitable, the assessment will then be presented to the Fostering Panel.

An Adoption Team Manager will determine in consultation with a Fostering Manager:

• the roles and responsibilities of the worker(s) who will undertake the assessment
• the nature of the preparation that is most appropriate for applicants who need to understand the implications of becoming both foster carers and potential adopters.  This preparation may take the form of a combination of elements of the Fostering Preparation Groups and Adoption Preparation Groups.  Preparation may be provided by the agency itself or by arrangement with another agency or adoption support agency
• the paperwork which will be required for the Fostering Panel

Prior to this preparation, the prospective adopters will be required to

• Complete a ‘Registration of Interest in Adoption’ Form, (see Section 2, Responding to Initial Enquiries)
• Receive a home visit, (see Section 4, Home Visit)

The assessment will consider the prospective adopters’ suitability as adoptive parents and their suitability as foster carers, focusing on the aspects outlined in 13.4.1, Assessment Considerations.

The Adoption Panel and the Agency Decision Maker will consider the Prospective Adopter’s Report.  If there is a decision to approve them as suitable to adopt this child, the appropriate paperwork will be considered by the Fostering Panel.

Much of the content of the appropriate paperwork for Fostering Panel will reflect the assessment completed for the Adoption Panel, and additionally focus on the ability of the applicants to undertake tasks relating to the assessment of the birth parents’ suitability – see a) above.

13.4.3 Statutory basis of placement for fostering and then for adoption

1. The placement of, and planning for, the child will initially be under the Fostering Regulations, and the carers must conform to these regulations as these apply, for example, to Parental Responsibility, Contact and Looked After Reviews.  Once the placement becomes an adoptive one, the Adoption Agency Regulations will apply to all aspects of the placement.   The placement can only become an adoptive one once Authority to Place for Adoption has been achieved – see ii.
2. A decision as to whether the child should be placed for adoption will take place at the appropriate time of planning for the child - see Placement for Adoption Procedure.  As set out in that procedure, the placement can only become an adoptive one when there has been an agency decision that the child should be placed for adoption, a Placement Order or Parental Consent to Adoptive Placement has been achieved and the proposed placement approved by the Agency Decision Maker.  (Following the placement becoming an adoptive one, payments under fostering regulations may be made for a further 28 days to allow time for completion of relevant paperwork).
3. In some circumstances the Panel may consider whether the child should be placed for adoption and approval of the proposed placement at the same time.  In these situations, the Agency Decision Maker cannot make a decision following a Panel recommendation to approve the proposed placement until a Placement Order or Section 19/20 consent has been achieved.  Once this has taken place, the placement will become an adoptive one.

14. Assessment of Applicants who wish to Adopt a Looked After Child known to them

14.1 Expression of interest

An enquiry may be received about the possibility of adopting from someone who has become acquainted with a child needing an adoptive placement.  This enquiry, for example, may be from a friend or relative of the child’s foster carer or a member of staff at the child’s school.

14.2 Initial response

The enquirer will be advised to contact the Admin Officer (Recruitment) so that the process of pursuing adoption can be briefly outlined. 

The Admin Officer (Recruitment) will inform an Adoption Team Manager, who will discuss the merits of the interest with the Family Finder, and the child’s social worker and manager as appropriate. 

If the enquiry appears to have some merit, an Information Pack will be sent. 

If it is clearly unlikely to be in the child’s interest, a letter setting out the reasons will be sent by an Adoption Team Manager.  If the enquirer does not wish to accept this response, they may request a review by the Adoption and Fostering Unit Manager.

14.3  Process of assessment

1. The process of following up the interest will vary according to the nature of the relationship with the child and where the enquirers live.  It will commence with an initial assessment by Unit and Care Management staff of the suitability of the enquirer and potential ability to meet the needs of the child.  An Adoption Team Manager will then decide on the assessment process which most fits with the enquirer’s circumstances, geography and needs.  A preparation process will be constructed according to their needs. 
2. A Prospective Adopter’s Report will be completed and presented to Panel along with the Adoption Placement Report, see Sections 6 – 9 above.
3. Agency decision:
   
   If the agency proposes not to approve the applicants as suitable to adopt the child and the applicants choose to pursue the Independent Review Mechanism for a review of the Qualifying Determination (see Section 11, Options following Decision not to Approve Applicants), the Independent Review Mechanism has a role ONLY in relation to the approval of the applicants and does not have a role in relation to matching. 

15. Assessment of Foster Carers who wish to Adopt a Looked After Child in their Care

See Foster carers who wish to permanently care for a Looked After child in their care (to follow).

16. Representation Options, Feedback and Complaints

16.1 The representation options

At each of the stages of application the options to make representations are as set out in each section of this procedure.

16.2  At all stages of the application and approval process,

An applicant is entitled to access the Comments, Complaints & Compliments Procedure of Social Care Services if they feel they have not been dealt with properly.

16.3  Feedback

At any time during their contact with the Adoption and Fostering Unit, comments by the applicants on the service being provided are welcome. At the following stages, specific opportunity is provided to offer comments on the service received:

• Following receipt of the initial information (the Information Pack and Information Meeting). 
• At the time of the Adoption Panel recommendation and Agency Decision Maker's decision regarding approval as adopters and at the time of Panel consideration of a proposed placement.
• Following the making of an Adoption Order.

End