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Fostering

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Original poster

Applying to adopt against LA wishes

7 replies

slipperandpjsmum · 14/01/2012 22:34

Could anyone advise me of the process of making an application to adopt a child in placement when the LA adoption team have said they will not assess the foster carer?

My friend want to do this she has a solicitor who has made the application to the courts. Has anyone been in this situation? Does anyone know what happens next?

OP posts:
ChooChooWowWow · 14/01/2012 23:19

A lot depends on how long the child has been in the placement.
The courts will always do what is in the best interests of the child. Does your friend have the support of the childs guardian?.

catsrus · 15/01/2012 01:52

we had friends who fostered a girl of different ethnic origin (they were white british) - long term placement from the age of about 5. When she was a teenager she asked them would they please adopt her. SS said they would not support this course of action, they did go to court and the court decided in their favour. The fact she had come to them diagnosed as severely developmentally delayed and was now predicted to go on and do A levels helped I think, but also because the request had come from her and she felt very strongly she needed this.

I only got to know them when their daughter was at college so didn't observe the process I'm afraid so no more help that knowing it can happen!

Original poster
slipperandpjsmum · 15/01/2012 18:15

The child has been in placement for a year from being 6 days old. She has the full support of the guardian. My friend's own sw is also in agreement, however, the adoption team are not. What I would really like to know is what happens next? She has put her application into court. The final hearing is in a few weeks.

OP posts:
Original poster
slipperandpjsmum · 15/01/2012 18:16

The child has been in placement for a year from being 6 days old. She has the full support of the guardian. My friend's own sw is also in agreement, however, the adoption team are not. What I would really like to know is what happens next? She has put her application into court. The final hearing is in a few weeks.

OP posts:
ChooChooWowWow · 15/01/2012 21:11

I'm not really sure what happens next but I think your friend will be ok. I think it just gets sorted out in court. SS and your friends solicitor will put their cases and a judge will decide the outcome. Your friend will need to pay her own costs (these are usually paid by SS if they support the assessment).

Once a child has been in placement a year I believe the carers have more rights. As the child has been there a year from such a young age I would think the courts will support the application as it would be in the best interests of the child. I've known three foster carers apply to adopt without the support of SS they all won.
Do you know why the adoption team are not supporting the application?. It seems strange as unless they a very good arguement they have little chance of the courts supporting them.
We fostered our dd from birth and applied to adopt when she was 10 months old. The guardian didn't support us because birth parents lived to close. The adoption team weren't over keen. They did assess us though as they admitted there was no good reason why she shouldn't stay with us.

ChooChooWowWow · 15/01/2012 21:13

You could pm nananina she will probably have a much better idea of the actual process and is always very helpful.

3brokentoes · 01/02/2012 23:30

I have adopted a child of different culture against LA wishes. Please inbox me if you need to discuss this. x

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