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Difference between revisions of "Adopting Children"

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*A birth mother may revoke her consent at any time until the child is 30 days old, or, afterwards at any time until the child is placed with the adoptive parents.
*A birth mother may revoke her consent at any time until the child is 30 days old, or, afterwards at any time until the child is placed with the adoptive parents.
*A child can revoke his or her consent at any time until the adoption order is made.
*A child can revoke their consent at any time until the adoption order is made.


After the child is placed, a consent can only be revoked after an application to the court, providing the application is made before the adoption order is pronounced.
After the child is placed, a consent can only be revoked after an application to the court, providing the application is made before the adoption order is pronounced.
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The worker will then begin a ''homestudy''. A homestudy is an assessment of the applicants completed over several months through visits to their home. It includes an educational component which prepares the adopting parents to meet the needs of the adopted child.
The worker will then begin a ''homestudy''. A homestudy is an assessment of the applicants completed over several months through visits to their home. It includes an educational component which prepares the adopting parents to meet the needs of the adopted child.


Once the homestudy is complete, the adoption worker begins the process of matching available children to adopting parents. Once a match is found and the adopting parents accept the child, they begin pre-placement visits with the child. (If the child lives in a different community, the adopting parents will be asked to visit the child in his or her community.) For these first visits, a worker will be present. Over time, the adopting parents will begin to spend time alone with the child and have visits at their own home. If things go well, the adoption worker will make a decision about the suitability of the placement based on what he or she considers to be in the child's best interests.
Once the homestudy is complete, the adoption worker begins the process of matching available children to adopting parents. Once a match is found and the adopting parents accept the child, they begin pre-placement visits with the child. (If the child lives in a different community, the adopting parents will be asked to visit the child in his or her community.) For these first visits, a worker will be present. Over time, the adopting parents will begin to spend time alone with the child and have visits at their own home. If things go well, the adoption worker will make a decision about the suitability of the placement based on what they consider to be in the child's best interests.


The steps between the initial application and the match are not particularly quick. In recognition of this, be prepared for homestudies to be repeated every 12 months. Criminal records checks and checks for previous ministry involvement are conducted every two years.
The steps between the initial application and the match are not particularly quick. In recognition of this, be prepared for homestudies to be repeated every 12 months. Criminal records checks and checks for previous ministry involvement are conducted every two years.
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Finally, if all parties are satisfied, the child is placed in the home of the adopting parents. At this point the adopting parents will fill out the Notice of Placement described above. After six months of the child living in the care and custody of the adopting parents, the parents can begin the process of applying to the Supreme Court for an adoption order. You should be aware that during the whole of this period, and until an adoption order is made, the Director remains the legal guardian of the child.
Finally, if all parties are satisfied, the child is placed in the home of the adopting parents. At this point the adopting parents will fill out the Notice of Placement described above. After six months of the child living in the care and custody of the adopting parents, the parents can begin the process of applying to the Supreme Court for an adoption order. You should be aware that during the whole of this period, and until an adoption order is made, the Director remains the legal guardian of the child.


Note that if the child is between the ages of seven and 12, an independent worker will meet with him or her to do a report on the child's views of the proposed adoption. This report will form part of the materials that the court will consider in hearing the adoption application. A child over the age of 12 must consent to the adoption.
Note that if the child is between the ages of seven and 12, an independent worker will meet with them to do a report on the child's views of the proposed adoption. This report will form part of the materials that the court will consider in hearing the adoption application. A child over the age of 12 must consent to the adoption.


==Adoption agencies==
==Adoption agencies==