Adoption - Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why do children need to be adopted?

Children who need adoption are unable to live with their birth families for a variety of reasons. They are likely to have had a difficult start to their early life and may have experienced trauma. Some children may have been subjected to neglect or abuse or impacted by parental substance abuse or mental ill health. Some children may have health or developmental complications because of early childhood traumas or inherited genetic disorders.

Children may have difficulty trusting adults or forming secure attachments. They may behave in ways which adoptive parents find challenging to manage and will require a therapeutic parenting approach.

Most children, for whom adoption is sought are of pre-school or primary school age. Some children may have additional learning needs or gaps in education and may require additional support.

How much information about the child will I receive before adoption?

It is very important that you know as much as possible about the child's past. By law we must share information with you about the child, which includes details about his or her origins, time in care, education, and any health needs.

This knowledge will help you to understand the child when they come to live with you, help the child understand the circumstances of their adoption and help you find the best way of supporting them in the future.

Can I choose the child I adopt?

Throughout the assessment process you will have discussions with your social worker about the type of child you would be a suitable match for and will explore factors such as age range, gender, and number of children. Once your assessment is completed this will be further discussed at South Ayrshire Council's Permanence Panel

Once you are approved for adoption your social worker will support you to be matched with a child or children by selecting and looking at children's profiles and discussing whether you would have the specific skills to meet their individual needs.

I already have children, can I adopt?

Having children already, does not preclude you from adopting. However, we would need to assess your ability to meet the needs of any adopted child along with your children. Your children would also be included in the assessment process.

Am I likely to be contacted by the birth parents?

No. You would not be contacted directly by the child's birth parents. However, where it is safe and appropriate to do so there may be an opportunity for a one-off meeting with the birth parents, as research tells us that this can be beneficial to birth parents, adoptive parents and most importantly for the child. Your assessing social worker would support you with this meeting.

What rights do the birth parents have?

Prior to the Adoption Order being granted, birth parents will retain rights and responsibilities for the child unless a Permanence Order is in place, in which case the local authority holds parental rights and responsibilities.

Once the Adoption Order is granted full rights and responsibilities for the child will be transferred to you, and the child gains the same rights of any natural child.

What support do I get when I adopt a child?

South Ayrshire council aims to ensure that all adoptive families feel supported at every stage in the adoption journey. After the Adoption Order is granted, support will continue to be available to you and your child throughout their childhood years and beyond, and will be provided for as long as it is required. This reflects what we know about the life-long nature of adoption for children and their families.

As an adopter you will become part of our adoption community, where you will be invited to support groups and kept up to date with what is happening in our service through our quarterly newsletters.

Do I get paid to adopt a child?

In some circumstances you can be paid an adoption allowance in respect of the child. However, any consideration of an adoption allowance would be dependent on the assessed needs of the child. All allowances are means tested and reviewed at least annually.

Do I qualify to claim any benefits if I adopt a child?

You will be able to claim for any child related benefit you have an entitlement for.

What happens if I adopt a child and my circumstances change and I can no long look after them?

Once you adopt a child, they have the same legal rights as children born naturally to you. This means that you would have a legal responsibility for their care. If additional support was required, you could contact South Ayrshire Council who would undertake an assessment of need.

How long does it take to be approved to adopt a child?

Your initial enquiry will be acted upon promptly and you will be invited to attend the next available preparation groups. Once your assessment commences, we aim to complete this in approximately 6 months.

I've adopted before - is there a difference in the process?

You may need to be re-assessed, and your existing child or children would also be included in the assessment.  The assessment would focus on your current circumstances, how you would meet the needs of an additional child, as well as considering the needs of your existing child or children.  The assessment also takes into account any potential impact that introducing a new child to the family will have on the on the family as a whole.

Im not able to attend the adoption preparation groups, can I still adopt?

All applicants need to undertake the mandatory preparation groups. If you are unable to attend on the arranged dates, alternate dates could be considered

I am overweight or have health complications, can I still adopt?

A medical is undertaken as part of the adoption assessment and South Ayrshire Council's Medical Advisor will make any recommendations regarding health concerns, including BMI.  Whilst being overweight or having a health condition will not automatically preclude you from adopting, the assessment will consider your ability to meet the long term physical and emotional needs of a child, and it is important that adoptive parents make all efforts to live a healthy lifestyle.  

If you have sought health support from a private provider, we would also look to obtain consent from you to obtain information from them, which would be passed to and reviewed by our Medical Adviser

I smoke/use a vape, can I still adopt?

We do not place any child under five in a smoking household, hence any applicants who smoke or use smoking devices such as e-cigarettes or vapes will not be considered as adopters for children under the age of 5 years.  If you have been a smoker or use e-cigarettes, you will need to have stopped for at least six months before your assessment begins.

Can I adopt if I'm on benefits?

Yes. As long as you have the means to provide a child with stability and security and be able to meet their life-long needs. 

I have a criminal conviction, does this mean I won't be able to adopt?

Anyone interested in applying to adopt will be subject to a Disclosure (Scotland) check to ascertain whether they hold any criminal cautions or convictions and to check if they are on the list of people disqualified from working with children.

A record of offences will need to be carefully considered, and each case is individually taken into consideration however not all offenses will automatically preclude you from adopting.