Thinking About Adopting

We've diarised our entire journey to become adopters and we'll be publishing it frequently here. Some details will be changed but the spirit will still be there! You'll find our accounts labelled under "Our Journey". Our accounts after placement are listed under "Dear Diary".

Other categories are available if you are interested in specific areas, feel free to browse those and we hope you find them useful.

There's more than one type of family

Reading a recent article on the response a gay man had when he came out to his father dredged some rather unpleasant memories of my own to the surface once again. I say once again as these memories were dredged up during the Social Workers home working sessions. When people warn you that the application to become an adopter is a gruelling process they are not kidding, it's all designed to determine your suitability. Read more of this article... about There's more than one type of family

Our Journey - The beginning

We've diarised our entire journey to become adopters and we'll be publishing it frequently here. Some details will be changed but the spirit will still be there we hope! You'll find our accounts labelled under "Our Journey". Our accounts after placement are listed under "Dear Diary". To get the ball rolling, a whole month is in the first post. Read more of this article... about Our Journey - The beginning

Gay Adoption. Why gay?

So why Gay Adoption. Why not just adoption blog? Why not LGBT Adoption Blog?
Read more of this article... about Gay Adoption. Why gay?

LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week.

I went to a meeting last night to plan the Information Meeting that our Adoption Agency/Local Authority is supporting next week. It was great to meet the other LGBT adopters and hear their stories, one couple have six children which just blew me away! Read more of this article... about LGBT Adoption and Fostering Week.

Preparing to apply to adopt

Preparing to apply.
This step is not at all about completing the forms. This is subset of actions that are entirely optional at this stage however I found them extremely useful and they also helped speed up the entire adoption process from initial application to being Approved Adopters. Read more of this article... about Preparing to apply to adopt

Adoption process terminology

What are your expectations of adoption?

Aside from the global fight for gay rights in order for legal recognition of couples or the equally important fight to be able to adopt, there is also a discussion once you have those rights to determine what your expectations actually are of adoption. Based in England, we are happy to have both rights, my heart goes out to those in other countries who may be struggling for what should be a human right. Read more of this article... about What are your expectations of adoption?

The Who's and Why's of Adoption

Who can adopt?
I suppose we had really start at the beginning and discuss who can adopt children. In such an age of misinformation it is easy to assume it’s something that not many people are allowed to do and that only a small elite are allowed. Well, that is simply not the case if you live in England or Wales. Apologies Scotland, I am unsure of your laws.
Read more of this article... about The Who's and Why's of Adoption

Gay Adoption in England and Wales

Since 2005 it has been legal for gay and lesbian people to have their commitment to each other legally recognised in the form of a Civil Partnership. Since that time it has also been legal for gay couples to adopt children into their families. It has always been the case that a gay man or lesbian has been able to adopt singly and this continues, however the move to recognise the validity of Civil Partnerships has strengthened the process. Read more of this article... about Gay Adoption in England and Wales

Gay Adoption. Why gay?

So why Gay Adoption. Why not just adoption blog? Why not LGBT Adoption Blog?
Read more of this article... about Gay Adoption. Why gay?

The first visit!

As a fresh faced Prospective Adopter you will be nervous and this is only to be expected. Don’t worry! The first visit is generally a bit of a get to know you session and an overview of the process. As part of this the social worker will begin making a plan on how to get you from being a Prospective Adopter to being an Approved Adopter. What you should do is look to see what you can do to make the process work for you. Read more of this article... about The first visit!

Preparing for the home visits

There is a lot of work that you have to do as part of the application process with the majority being done on the home visits as well as some left behind as homework for you to do. Yes, there is homework and lot's of it! Read more of this article... about Preparing for the home visits

Applying to be a Prospective Adopter

This is a recounting of our journey and experiences, your own journey will almost certainly differ but there should be at least some similarities.

Once we had both agreed we wanted to adopt we applied to our local Adoption Agency (Local Authority). Our experience was initially quite pleasant and we honestly had no idea what to expect. There were a few telephone questions and then an appointment was made for a Social Worker to visit us.
Read more of this article... about Applying to be a Prospective Adopter