1

Regional Intercountry Adoption Information Pack

2

Introduction It is the fundamental right of every child to belong to a family; this principle underpins the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which the United Kingdom ratified in 1991. Some children cannot live with their birth families for many reasons; society has a duty to provide them with a permanent alternative home. Adoption is one means of giving children an opportunity to start again. Adoption continues to provide an important service for children, offering a positive and beneficial outcome. Research shows that generally adopted children make very good progress through their childhood and into adulthood compared with children brought up by their birth parents and do considerably better than children who have remained in the care system throughout most of their childhood. What is domestic adoption? www.adoptionandfostering.hscni.net

What is Intercountry Adoption? Although there are many children in Northern Ireland who are looking for an adoptive family, there are many children overseas who need homes and intercountry adoption may be their only opportunity to belong to a permanent family. In the best interest of children the Government allows intercountry adoption to proceed where:

The child cannot be cared for in any suitable manner in his own country.

Adoption is in the best interests of the child with respect to their fundamental rights as recognised in international law.

The adopter has been assessed as eligible and suitable to adopt from overseas by an adoption agency.

On 1st June 2003, new arrangements for Intercountry Adoption came into effect in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The new arrangements include:

The UK's ratification of the 1993 Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption. This means that the UK is part of an international system of collaboration that aims to prevent the abduction of, sale of, or traffic in children.

3

Anyone in England and Wales and Northern Ireland who wants to adopt a child from overseas has to undergo the same procedure as they would to adopt a child domestically, regardless of the country they wish to adopt from or the nature of their relationship to the child.

The maximum penalty for failing to comply with the requirements set out in Regulations prior to adopting a child from overseas has increased to 12 months imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine upon conviction.

Anyone adopted from a country on the Designated List or under the 1993 Hague Convention can apply to the Registrar General to have their adoption registered in the adopted children's register.

Adopting from an Overseas Country? When considering adoption from an overseas country it is important that you research fully the criteria for the specific country that you decide you wish to adopt from as some countries have specific law in relation to age, marital status and sexual orientation.

Initial Enquiry You will need to make contact with the Adoption Team in your own Trust area. You will be provided with information both verbally and in writing about the adoption process and any costs associated with this. You will be invited to attend an initial interview meeting with a social worker from the Adoption Team.

Initial Interview The interview will be used to: Explore why you want to adopt and whether you have considered adoption within Northern Ireland.

Confirm that you are aware of and can satisfy the eligibility requirements and procedures of both your country of choice and the UK

If you are undecided about the country of choice, provide brief information and advice about specific countries and guidance about where the relevant information can be obtained to aid your decision.

4

Discuss and advise on any factors which might have an adverse effect on your application and identify any tasks you will need to complete before proceeding to a formal application and associated costs to you.

Ensure that you have considered and understand the issues and challenges involved in adopting from overseas.

Outline our procedure for preparing and assessing prospective intercountry adopters.

After the initial interview a decision will be made. If there are no obvious issues to you proceeding you will be required to attend an Information Day. The social worker will advise you of the cost of this. Prospective applicants are expected to attend a structured preparation course. Preparation covers the matters which would normally be considered in domestic adoption and additional matters relevant to ICA including post placement and post adoption support arrangements.

5

Purpose of the Information Day

The Information Day is designed to give a broad overview of the intercountry

adoption process; the short, medium and long term issues associated with it

and clarify some issues for applicants. An experienced person who has gone

through the process of adopting from an overseas country usually attends to

share their experience of the process.

Having attended the Information Day, if you still wish to proceed, you must

notify your social worker who will arrange for you to attend the required 3 day

Preparation Course. If you are a couple both will be required to attend.

Purpose of the Preparation Course

The objectives of the preparation course are to:

Raise awareness and understanding of the key issues which need to be considered by people proposing to adopt a child.

Highlight the relevance of issues and other useful frameworks for addressing them before and after the child is placed.

Offer the opportunity to meet with other prospective adopters at a similar stage of the adoption process

Have an opportunity to hear from experienced adopters and/or adoptees.

Content The Intercountry Adoption Preparation Course has the following core topics:

Policies, procedures and the law – information on the changing nature of adoption; and the laws, procedures and process of adopting from overseas within a national and international framework.

Adoption as parenting – the basics of adoptive parenting and how it differs from parenting birth children.

The impact of institutional care upon children – how lack of attachment can impact upon children and ways in which parents can promote secure attachment and manage the introductory period.

6

The birth parents perspective – an exploration of how and why birth parents in overseas countries relinquish their children.

Health issues – the known / unknown health issues that may arise when adopting a child from overseas.

Adoption from the child’s perspective – exploring adoption with children; the impact of separation and loss; tracing and return to the birth country; culture, race and identity in adopted children.

The adoption experience – an adoptive parent’s account of their adoption journey.

Process

Work is undertaken in both large and small group settings.

The content is delivered through trainer input, case studies, group exercises, video/ audio input and input from guest speakers including those with experience of adoption and a medical advisor with experience of health issues associated with children adopted from overseas.

The days are designed to be relaxed, stimulating and non-threatening. The course is offered for the purpose of preparation and education and does not form part of the assessment process. The emphasis throughout the three days is on the participants’ self-learning.

Formal Application Following the Preparation Course if you wish to proceed, once you have decided on your country of choice, you need to apply in writing to your Adoption Agency for a “determination of eligibility to adopt”. If you are eligible to proceed, the Adoption Agency carries out the following initial checks and references on receipt of stage one payment:

Adoption medical and other relevant medical reports. You are responsible for the cost of all these reports.

Personal and/or family references.

Employer references.

ACCESS NI Enhanced Disclosure check.

Financial statement.

7

Birth certificates.

Marriage certificate - if appropriate.

Decree Nisi - if appropriate. When all the checks have been completed and you remain eligible to continue with the application, you will then be allocated a social worker who will undertake your home study.

Home Study and Report If initial checks are completed and acceptable, the applicants are required to make the Stage 2 payment before progressing to assessment.

An assessment of the prospective adopters is carried out using a BAAF Form F3 Assessment Form. It is expected that once an intercountry adoption application has been accepted, the assessment will be completed within a period of 6 months. If there is a delay a letter will be sent to you giving you an explanation for the delay and a clear indication of the anticipated date of completion.

On completion of the assessment, you will receive the relevant sections of BAAF Form F3. You are invited to make comments, suggestions/amendments in writing within 28 days.

Recommendation and approval by the Trust The social worker will present the completed assessment report, along with any observations submitted by you to the adoption panel.

You will have the opportunity to attend part of the panel meeting if you wish.

You will be informed in writing of the Trusts decision and, if your application is approved, the Trust will forward your home study report and references, together with the adoption panel minute and Trust decision to the DHSSPS .

The DHSSPS will check that all the documentations are in order and that the prescribed procedures have been complied with and notify you of their decision. A Certificate of Eligibility and Suitability will then be issued by the DHSSPS to you.

8

The Trust will continue to liaise with you and the DHSSPS until your papers and certificate of eligibility are dispatched to the overseas country. Further to the granting of the Certificate of Eligibility, your approval will be subject to a review process every six months until you are matched and placed with a child from the sending country.

Please note that your approval status will be for a named country and matching child specified by age and gender. Any changes to the terms of approval will require reconsideration by the adoption panel and DHSSPS for review of the approval status. Non approval

If the Trust decision maker proposes not to approve your application, s/he will write to you explaining the reasons. You will have the right to make representations within 28 days, which the decision maker will take into account when making the agency decision.

If the Adoption Agency receives representation within 28 days, it may refer back to the Adoption Panel for further consideration. The Panel considers the representation and makes a fresh recommendation.

The Adoption Agency makes a decision and notifies the applicant in writing.

Conclusion Adopting a child will provide him/her with an opportunity to live in a permanent home where they can grow in a loving and nurturing manner. It is important through training and assessment that the right parents are found for the right child. This requires the application process to be thorough. Adopting from overseas will often provide some different challenges and require specific skills as the child grows and develops in his/her new family. What should you do now If you wish to pursue your interest in Intercountry adoption you should contact

the Adoption team in your local Trust area or the Regional Adoption and Fostering Service on 0800 0720 137 or visit

www.adoptionandfostering.hscni.net to request a meeting with a social worker.

9

Some Useful Organisations

Intercountry Adoption Centre SSAFA Forces Help Central Office 22 Union Street 19 Queen Elizabeth Street Barnet London Hertfordshire, EN5 4HZ SE12LP Tel: 0208 4474753 Tel: 020 7403 8783 www.icacentre.org.uk www.ssafa.org.uk Department for Education BAAF (British Association for Intercountry Adoption Casework Team Adoption & Fostering) Ground Floor Area D Botanic House Mowden Hall 1-5 Botanic Avenue Staindrop Road Belfast Darlington Co Durham, SE1 8UG BT7 1JG Tel: 0370 000 2288 Tel: 028 9031 5494

www.education.gov.uk http://www.baaf.org.uk/ni ADOPTION UK OASIS (Overseas Adoption 545 Antrim Road Support Information Services) Belfast Dan Y Craig Cottage BT15 3BY Balaclava Road Tel: 028 9077 5211 Glais, Swansea www.adoptionuk.org SA7 9HJ www.adoptionoverseas.org Association of Trans-Racial PACT (Parents & Children Adopted People (ATRAP) Together) c/o Racial Equality (SAE) 48 Bath Road Kings Exchange, Tileyard Road Reading Berkshire, RG1 6PG Tel: 0118 938 7600 London, N79AH DHSSPS Child Care Unit Castle Buildings, Stormont Belfast, BT4 3SQ Tel: 028 90522610 www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/hss/child_care/adoption.htm

10

Addresses of Education and Library Boards

Belfast Education and Library Board 40 Academy Street Belfast BT1 2NQ Tel: 028 9056 4000 North Eastern Education and Library Board County Hall 182 Galgorm Road Ballymena BT42 1HN Tel: 028 2565 3333 South Eastern Education and Library Board Grahamsbridge Road Dundonald Belfast BT16 0HS Tel: 028 9056 6200 Southern Education and Library Board 3 Charlemont Place Armagh BT61 9AX Tel: 028 3751 2200 Western Education and Library Board Campsie House 1 Hospital Road Omagh BT79 0AW Tel: 028 8241 1411

11

USEFUL WEBSITES

Hague Convention, ratifications and Central Authorities (no 33 Authorities) www.hcch.net Home Office Immigration/Nationality Department & Visas www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk Department for Education www.education.gov.uk/childrenandyoungpeople/families/adoption/intercountryadoption Foreign and Commonwealth Office www.fco.gov.uk Legislation www.legislation.gov.uk www.niassembly.gov.uk Intercountry Adoption Centre (formerly Overseas Adoption Helpline) www.icacentre.org.uk Central Authorities for Hague Countries (no 33 Authorities) www.hcch.net/e/conventions

12

RECOMMENDED READING There is wealth of publications about adoption – fiction and non-fiction. This list represents a small and varied selection. NOVELS: FOSTER M. HIDDEN LIVES

Author’s account of the lives of her mother and grandmother. Relinquishment and abandonment are central themes. PENGUIN

FOSTER M. SHADOW BABY A tale of two young women who give birth to, then, illegitimate babies. The emotions of the children and mothers are portrayed in their separate worlds. PENGUIN

FOSTER M. THE BATTLE FOR CHRISTABEL When a young girls mother dies, family, friends and the local authority struggle to plan for her future. PENGUIN

HARRIS P THE COLOURS IN ME

Writing and Poetry by Adopted Children and Young People

BAAF (available as book and DVD)

INGMAN H. SARA About a woman who longs for a child and plans to adopt from Ecuador. POOLBEG

MOSSE K. ESKIMO KISSING A story about adoption and a young woman’s search for identity and reunion. CORONET BOOKS

WELLS S. WITHIN ME, WITHOUT ME Collection of personal stories by mothers who have given up children for adoption.

SCARLETT BOOK

13

WICKS B. YESTERDAY THEY TOOK MY BABY True stories of adoption. LIME TREE BOOKS CATHOLIC Audio Tape: “ADOPTION IN MY LIFE – THE CHILDREN INTERCOUNTRY EXPERIENCE” - with accompanying notes SOCIETY Young people talk about their experiences, feelings and (Nottingham) thoughts about their adoption and their countries of origin.

GENERAL ADOPTION: AHMED S SOCIAL WORK WITH BLACK CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES J CHEETHAM Includes chapters on black self-concept and issues, which SMALL J arise in trans-racial placements.

BAATSFORD/BAAF

BAGLEY C INTERNATIONAL & TRANSRACIAL ADOPTIONS - YOUNG L A mental health perspective SCULLY A The history of adoption and a summary of research findings. AVERBURY PRESS BATTY D A guide to the issues involved in disclosing information

about origins to children born of incest. BAAF CRUMBLEY J TRANSRACIAL ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE Child welfare league of America BAAF

FAHLBERG V A CHILD’S JOURNEY THROUGH PLACEMENT A theoretical and practical guide to understanding and dealing with common issues in adoption placements.

BAAF HARRIS P IN SEARCH OF BELONGING Reflections by transracially adopted people BAAF

HOWE D HALF A MILLION WOMEN SAWBRIDGE P Mothers who lose their children by adoption.

14

HININGS D BAAF McNAMARA J BRUISED BEFORE BIRTH

Considers the impact on children of mothers who abused drugs, alcohol & other substances pre-birth.

BAAF

MCWHINNIE A CHILDREN OF INCEST MORRISON M TALKING ABOUT ADOPTION BAAF PATEL J MIXED UP KIDS? Race, identity and social order Russel House SEYMOUR N IN BLACK AND WHITE BAAF TURNPENNY P SECRETS IN THE GENES (ED) An explosion of inheritance and genetic disease in adoption. BAAF Whitehead S FINDING OUR FAMILIES The story of our children adopted overseas BAAF NB - Should you wish to obtain some of the books listed, any good local bookshop should be able to advise you in respect of the general publications. BAAF publications can be obtained from:

BAAF (British Association for Adoption and Fostering) Botanic House 1-5 Botanic Avenue Belfast BT7 1JG Tel: 028 9031 5494

15

The Children’s Society Publications can be obtained from:

The Children’s Society Edward Rudolf House 69-89 Margery Street London, WC1X 0JL Tel: 0171 837 4299 Adoptive Families of America, Inc. 3333 HWY. 100 N. Minneapolis MN 55422 USA Tel: 612 535 4829 Fax: 612 535 7808 Further information can be obtained from the following agencies: BAAF (British Association for Adoption and Fostering) Botanic House 1-5 Botanic Avenue Belfast BT7 1JG Tel: 028 9031 5494

http://www.baaf.org.uk/ni

Northern Ireland Fertility Support Group 113 University Street Belfast, BT7 1HP Contact: Ms Margaret O’Rourke Tel: 028 90 790628 Meet last Thursday of each month at 8.00 pm