Adoption
The Universal Group provide a service both responsive and friendly to our clients keeping you informed every step of the way and applying our diligent attention to progressing your documentation and obtaining constant feedback from the various agencies which can mire down an applicant.
The Universal Group team of specialist legal professionals offer relevant expert support and can assist you in understanding the process of adoption in many countries around world. We not only ensure you are working with the right legal advice but also take care of any notary and legalisation requirements you will have.
The Universal Group provide a single point of contact for legal, notary, translation and legalisation services via a single case manager making us transparent, accountable and easy to engage on your behalf.
Please feel free to contact our team on: adoption@theuniversalgroup.net with your query.
International adoption
On June 1st 2003 the UK implemented the Hague Convention on the protection of children and co-operation in respect of inter-country adoption. This means that there are now three types of adoptions from overseas:
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Within Convention country adoptions,
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Designated country adoptions
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Non Convention and Non Designated country adoptions
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Conventional Adoptions are made between those countries that have contracted into the Hague Convention. Adoption made in a Hague Convention country would be recognised in the UK. British Citizenship is also granted to the child at the time the order is made provided that one of the applicants is a British Citizen and both are habitually resident in the UK
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Designated countries are those whose adoption orders are recognised in UK law under the Adoption (Designation of Overseas Adoptions) Order 1973. This recognition does not extend to granting UK citizenship, or to dealing with matters of inheritance, and UK applicants will have to apply for UK nationality on the child’s behalf once they return to the UK.
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Non Convention and Non Designated. Adoption made in Non Convention and Non Designated countries are not recognised under UK law, and children adopted in these countries have to be adopted again, through a UK Court, once they have lived in the UK for 6 months.
List of Countries participating or in the process of ratification of the Hague Convention pertaining to the protection of children.
UK citizens wishing to adopt a child from outside the UK
UK international adoption process
In the UK local authorities are required by law to provide inter-country adoption services to those who wish to adopt. Services include offering counselling, preparing a Home Study Report and assessing clients before specific children are identified for placement.
Understanding the logical steps within the adoption process.
1. Apply for adoption in writing to the local authority
2. Attend a preparation course which will raise awareness about adoption and provide a networking opportunity.
3. Prepare Home Study Report. A 'Home Study Report' is a detailed written report which explores your reasons for adopting. This can take three to six months to finish, sometimes longer. The process involves a series of visits and interviews (jointly, individually and with your referees) so that the social worker gets to know you. Note: the Home Study Report is mandatory for any type of adoption.
4. Attend panel interview session. Your Home Study Report will be assessed by the Adoption Panel who will then make a recommendation to the Director of Social Services on whether to approve or reject your application.
5. Obtain Certificate of Eligibility and Suitability. This will only be issued by the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) if your application is approved. If your application is rejected you will have 28 days to appeal.
6. DCSF dispatch adoption papers to your chosen orphanage in the country of adoption.
7. When you are matched with a child, their details will be sent to the DCSF who will in turn send them to your local authority.
8. Your social worker will contact you to discuss the information with you. If you would like to proceed you should make arrangements to visit the child in their country. After meeting the child you will need to notify your local authority that you wish to proceed with the adoption.
9. Your child’s country of origin together with the DCSF will coordinate the adoption process.
10. Obtain entry clearance for your child.
11. Some countries require post adoption reports to be sent to them at regular intervals.
To view the full details of the Hague convention pertaining to the adoption of children please feel free to follow this link to the relevant Hague Convention website
http://laws.adoption.com/statutes/hague-convention-on-protection-of-children.html