Adoption agencies are either private bodies or local authorities from where children can be taken for adoption. While giving a child for adoption, the adoption agency must consider the suitability of the adopter, should offer counseling services to the adopter, explain the rules and laws of adoption and also provide the adopter with written information about adoption. It is the responsibility of the adoption agency to inform the adopters about “freeing” Certain i9nvestigations are to be made before giving a child for adoption. The entire history of the child to be adopted along with his parental history, medical history has to be compiled by the adoption agency before the child is given for adoption. It is also the duty of the adoption agencies to find out from the child’s parents what are their wishes regarding freeing the child and also regarding the cultural and religious beliefs of the child as well as of the upbringing of the child.
If the father does not have a Parental responsibility Order, the Adoption agency must try its level best to find it out. The adoption agency should also find out as to why a couple is keen on adopting a child and what are their experiences regarding bringing up a child. Once a couple puts in an application for the adoption of a child before the adoption agency, the adoption agency assesses the adopter on various parameters and then sends their assessment to the intending adopters. The intending adopters are given a maximum time of 28 days within which they have to submit the changes in the said assessment, if any. The adoption agency forwards the same to the adoption panel. After much scrutiny, the adoption panel takes the final decision as to whether the intending adopters should be given a child for adoption and their decision is full and final. The adoption panel forwards its decision to the adoption agency, who, in turn will inform the intending adopters whether they are at all eligible for the adoption of the child or not. If the intending adopters are stated to be unsuitable to take a child for adoption, then clear and candid reasons must be mentioned. This time also the intending adopters are given a maximum time period of 28 days if they are refused or else the decision of the adoption panel is considered to be final.
When the proposal is accepted, the child’s history is sent to the intending adopters. The local authority, health authority, local education authority and the adopter’s doctor are all informed about the adoption. Within a week of the adoption, people from the adoption agency will pay a visit to the house where the adopted child stays with its adoptive parents and look after the well being of the child. The adoption agency also prepares a report to that effect. The adopter is constantly under the guidance and advice of the adoption agency regarding the health and overall well-being of the child. The upbringing of the child is under the constant supervision of the adoption agency.
