Adoption has changed markedly over the past 30 years. In 1970, 20,000 children were placed for Adoption. The majority of these were babies. Thirty years later as society's views and attitudes have changed this figure has decreased greatly. In 1999, 2,200 children were placed for adoption. Over the past 4 years, however, this figure has grown due to greater acknowledgement of the role adoption can play in making permanent plans for children. Although the number of children adopted has dropped in the past 30 years the number of children adopted from care has grown.

 

The majority of children placed for Adoption will have been removed from their parents through the court system. All of these children will have had their plan for adoption approved by the court. These children come to adoption with their own identity, background and family history, all of which will impact on their adoptive home and require understanding and acceptance in order to increase the possibility of a successful placement.

Children who come into care are in most cases initially placed in foster care. Great efforts are made to keep siblings together.

Children awaiting adoption need careful preparation and explanation about what is going to happen to them and why.

Most children will need to maintain some level of contact with their birth parents in order to promote their self-esteem and identity. In most cases this is achieved through indirect letterbox contact.

 

People Wishing to Adopt

Prospective adopters must be 21 or over. There is no upper age limit.

Applications are welcomed from single people and couples.

We welcome applicants from all areas of society and do not discriminate in any way.

We offer a service to all our residents and also welcome applications from those living outside the area, particularly from people wishing to adopt older children, sibling groups or children with special needs.

All applicants undergo statutory checks carried out through the police, social services, health, education and probation services. Anyone with an offence against children is barred by law from becoming an adopter. Personal references, such as from friends or employers are also taken up.

All prospective adopters undergo a medical examination carried out by their own GP.

Adopters are viewed by the Council as an important and valuable resource for children in need of adoption. As a result great care is taken in the training, assessment and support of all applicants.

Interest is particularly welcomed from people who can offer a home to:

Anyone contacting us will be able to talk to a social worker experienced in Adoption practice. An information pack is available and will be sent to anyone who wants to know more.

Children Waiting to be Placed for Adoption

Each child is the subject of a Care Order made by a court. The Authority has to present a Care Plan to the court outlining and timetabling its plan to place the child for Adoption.

A referral is made to the local Adoption Consortium to access approved families within this pool.

Advertisements are placed in specialist magazines and interest sought from approved adopters.

Detailed and informative profiles of the children are prepared and sent to other Local Authorities and Voluntary Adoption Agencies throughout the country.

Post Adoption Support

The value of post adoption support has been recognised more in recent years as being crucial to the success of adoptive placements. A child's need for explanation and knowledge about his background may grow as he gets older. His behaviour may increasingly reflect the impact of poor or abusive parenting in his early years.

We will support all adoptive placements through our own services or those of a family's adoption agency.

Derby City Council also has a responsibility to the birth parents of children placed for adoption and will provide support and counselling to them.

We operate a Post Adoption Letter Box service to facilitate the exchange of photographs and letters between adopters and birth family members.

Post Adoption Services In Derby

Derby City Council is now developing post-adoption services more comprehensively and is prepared to work in many ways to assist and support:

• Adopted children and their adoptive families
• Adopted adults
• Birth parents and grandparents
• Siblings of adopted children.

Derby City Council
Adoption Team
Children and Young People's Department
Fostering and Adoption Centre
Perth Street Office
Derby          
DE21 6XX

Telephone: 01332 641080
Fax: 01332 717747
Minicom: 01332 206182
Email: adoption@derby.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can fill in our online form.

Derby City Council's Statement of Purpose for Adoption

British Association for Adoption and Fostering