Adoption of step children

[AmIAWeed]

Does anyone have experience of adopting a step child?
The children are my biological children. I've been married to my husband for 5 years and following a mental breakdown of their biological father (sectioned after suicide attempt) he would like to adopt them.
To add some details one child hasn't seen their biological Dad for 3 years, the other 1 year due to previous drug abuse/ growing drugs in the property.
One child has repeatedly asked to legally change name to match ours and without father's consent we've always said wait till 18. We haven't discussed it with them yet as we need to really understand the potential issues.
For us, personally, they are our children. My husband has been in their lives since 6 and 8. (8 years in total) we want them to know they are chosen. He isn't in their lives just because he's with me, but it's an active decision he has chosen to be in their lives too (important as my 1 child feels they aren't good enough and that's why biological Dad never sought help, they are getting counselling for these issues)
Due to the suicide attempt the police did search the property and find cannabis plants although due to his mental health a prosecution isn't likely. We feel, now is the right time to make them feel more secure, which we feel a formal adoption will give them plus as their Dads mental capacity is reduced we assume we won't need his permission only that of the courts?
Can anyone offer advice, experience?

You can give DH parental responsibilities via the courts and change the children's surnames via deed poll. This is what I done with my DD. I can understand your adoption thoughts though given the circumstances.

I know in Scotland, courts are reluctant to process adoption in normal circumstances as you are technically denying the children of any future inheritance without their approval as they are too young to make such decisions hence why I have suggested PR and deed poll as this is what I was advised to do.

Hi I don’t know if this helps but I hope it does...

I am in the process of adopting my partners two children, we aren’t married yet and have only been together for 4 years, their bio mum hasn’t seen them nor had any contact for 3 years due to her own (circumstances) they have lived with us for the majority of the 4 years as my partner got full custody 3 months into our relationship, our eldest is 9 and has had a lot of emotional problems, not feeling good enough or loved by bio mum and this held them back a lot, me and my partner spoke about what’s best for them as when they see bio side of family they come home depressed or angry because it’s all relived for them, they don’t like seeing them and they are scared that she will try and take them back to what they were living in, I ask my partner if I could get some rights over them to help them feel secure that they had a parent that wouldn’t leave, in the end we spoke about adoption and they loved it, we’re just a short wait away from it all being finalised and then it’s all over, in my honest opinion if the children want it, do it, it’s what’s best for them.

As it’s a step parent adoption I had to notify my local council first and then a social worker got in contact with me, they come out and visit you just to see what’s what at first, next couple of visits they will speak to you, your partner and the children all separately to see how everyone feels and what everyone thinks, they will have to speak to bio parent to get their permission but even if they say no the judge can over rule it if it’s in the best interest of the children, once a report is done and reference are spoke to all forms are sent to court and then you take it from there.

I really hope this helps

Xx