This is a quick summary of the process, your social worker will go into greater details and will support you throughout the process. It is important to remember it is ok to ask for help and that you are not alone.
Making contact
Telephone call to Adoption in the Black Country (0800 073 0597) or Dudley adoption service duty social worker (01384 815891)
Invite to attend next Adoption in the Black Country information evening
Initial consent form for local authority checks returned to Dudley adoption service
Initial home visit by Dudley adoption service social worker
Report from home visit considering team managers and forwarded to you
Decision made on accepting your application or divert to another black country authority due to geography issues
Sometimes we will encourage you to delay your application and provide counselling interview about our reasons
Medical, referees and training course
Full application made, including medical questionnaire for GP to forward to agencies medical advisor
Nomination of six personal referees, 3 of which will be interviewed
Attendance at preparation training at Adoption in the Black Country coordinated course
Homestudy
Allocation of social worker to undertake home study
Report completed and provided for you to review/amend
Second opinion visit by another social worker from the team
Adoption panel
Presentation at adoption panel. You are invited to attend, but will not be disadvantaged by not attending
94% of applications which reach this stage are accepted
There is an appeal process within Dudley adoption services. You may also seek review of the agencies practice via the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) run by the British Association for Fostering and Adoption (BAAF).
