UK adoption
Nugent Adoption welcomes enquiries from individuals and couples from all walks of life regardless of marital or employment status, religion or ethnic background, whether you have a disability, are a homeowner or living in rented accommodation, have no children or are proven parents.
Most importantly you must be able to offer a secure, loving and nurturing home environment to a child or children who have had a difficult start in life. You will need to be in relatively good health, have commitment, patience and lots of energy and you will definitely need a good sense of humour. Having a good support network of friends and family is also a huge bonus.
There is no upper age limit if you wish to adopt, but you must be over 21 years of age, a UK resident and hold no criminal convictions against children. We also ask that if you are a couple, you have been in a stable and committed relationship for a minimum of 2 years.
The process
- You can make an enquiry on our website, or by calling us on 01744 613041. We have a duty social worker available each day who you can speak to if you wish. We will then send you an information pack and enquiry paperwork.
- You return the General Enquiry form.
- We visit you at your home to discuss your plan to adopt. Following this visit a ‘Registration of Interest’ (ROI) form is given to you.
- You then return the ROI form to us where a management decision will be made to progressyour application.
What next?
Stage one
We aim to complete this part of the process within two months.
You are allocated a Social Worker who will come and meet you and gather basic information.
Necessary checks are completed, including criminal records checks, local authority, medicals, employment references and personal references including references from any previous significant partners.
Health and safety checks on your home, as well as any pet assessments, are completed.
Once all checks are returned with no concerns, you will progress to Stage Two.
Stage two
We aim to complete this part of the adopter assessment process within four months.
A formal application and plan for assessment will be completed.
Between eight and ten assessment visits are completed by the Social Worker.
Personal referees are visited by your Social Worker.
The Prospective Adopter’s Report (PAR) is written and submitted to the panel.
Your application is heard before an approved adoption panel. A recommendation is made by the adoption panel as to whether you are suitable to adopt.
This is then referred to the Agency Decision Maker (ADM).
The ADM will either ratify the panel’s recommendation or could agree or disagree with this decision. Once the ADM approves you as suitable to adopt, you become an approved adoptive family.
The social work team begin the process of ‘family finding’. This means trying to find the right child (or children) for you and supporting you through this process; from identifying them through to placement with you and eventually the legal adoption.
Overseas adoption
We work in partnership with the IAC – The Centre for Adoption who is the lead agency, working alongside the partner agencies who will deliver locally based services.
Core services such as Advice and Information, Preparation Groups and Support Workshops will all be undertaken by the IAC – The Centre for Adoption who will act as the hub for enquiries and adoption applications, whilst the partner agencies (Nugent Adoption is one) will undertake the Stage Two assessment locally and the work with, and support for, the prospective adopter(s) after the child is matched.
This is an exciting partnership with key intercountry adoption agencies working together to continue to improve standards for both children and families in this specialist area of work.
0208 447 4753
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Costs
The costs of an adoption assessment for overseas adoption are met entirely by the prospective adopter. Some of these costs can vary substantially depending on the country you wish to adopt from.
Nugent Adoption is in partnership with IAC – The Centre for Adoption and all intercountry adoption enquiries should be made directly to IAC who will advise you of the costs for this service.
0208 447 4753
The Advice Line is open to members of the general public wherever they live if their enquiry is about intercountry adoption. The Advice Line is open every weekday from 10.00am to 1.00pm with call-backs made by Advisors up until 4.00pm.
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Stories
Tom and Amy
Tom and Amy, adoptive parents of three daughters aged 2, 3 and 5 years old.
Our story
Nugent Adoption is a registered and approved Voluntary Adoption Agency located in the North West of England. Nugent became a Registered Adoption Agency in 1943; therefore we have been involved in placing children for adoption for 80 years.
We provide a welcoming team of professional and dedicated social work staff who are experienced in all areas of adoption. Our aim is to increase the opportunities for children who have experienced a difficult start, to enjoy a positive, safe and secure family life.
About us
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