Children and young people

Counselling, advice and support will be provided for birth parents and other members of the child's birth family. This will be available in all circumstances, including those where members of the birth family do not agree with the decision to place the child for adoption.

People who wish to adopt will be assessed and will need to demonstrate an understanding of the main elements of adoption. All people who wish to adopt a child will be required to undertake initial training and preparation prior to placement.

All applicants will need to have a stable and healthy lifestyle and be of suitable fitness to provide the care required. There will need to be evidence of this stability and applicants are required by law to undergo a medical examination and satisfy the council's Adoption Agency and eventually the court, of their medical fitness. People who wish to adopt as a couple must be married. If they are co-habiting but not married, only one person can legally adopt a child but the assessment will include both partners. Single people can adopt.

These policies state the general principles that govern the actions of the Agency. However, each case must be considered on its own merit, with an acceptance that there may be the need for exceptions from the general policy in certain cases.

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