Thinking of adopting....

[MrsKiplin]

We are thinking of adopting, we have our own dd age six who is desperate for a sibling and would like to give a child a home who needs one. Does anyone have any advice about which agency to use, what the process is like etc etc. Thank you!

[Yellowflowersgreengrass]

Hello,if you are just after general advice I would just read back through the posts on the board. I believe, from what I have read, most people here have adopted through their local authority. They are your first port of call for information.

[hidinginthenightgarden]

Agency would depend roughly on where you live. can say whereabouts you are? Have you looked at local authorities.

[SchrodingersBox]

My first port of call would be the local authority. The standard of them can vary. We were lucky that ours was very good which we only realised once we were going through the process. If you call the general number they will give you information to get you going. From us formally applying to adopt to our son moving in was 9 months, although we had spoken to the LA prior to that.

[Jknlxo]

Hi did you find any information on this? I’m trying to find information from both sides as I want to put my unborn baby up for adoption I have put a post up on here but not had any reply’s yet and I can’t find much info

[Kr1stina]

Mrs Kiplin - I’d contact every adoption agency with covers your area, go for initial meetings and see which one you like best.

[SchrodingersBox]

Jknxlo, Google the name of your local authority and fostering and adoption, it will bring up their details. Call the duty number and someone will explain things.

[donquixotedelamancha]

Good advice from @Kr1stina:

I’d contact every adoption agency with covers your area, go for initial meetings and see which one you like best.

The key is a good agency, whether LA or VA. You want them to be very clear on the needs of your child as well. Sometimes this is a little easier with a VA because they 'work for you' a bit more, but really you just want a good one.

Use ofsted reports (taken with a huge pinch of salt) and you own gut feeling. Talking to those who've already adopted with that agency is gold if you can swing it.