A Brief Overview of Assessment

IAC offers a full and comprehensive service to prospective adopters from enquiry through to support on return to the UK with a child.

• Information and initial counselling which includes written information and an interview with the Assessment Team Manager. Prior to the interview we always suggest that you attend an IAC Information Day, as this ensures that you have access to full information at an early stage about both the process and the potential challenges of intercountry adoption.
  
  If you satisfy the overseas country requirements and the Agency eligibility criteria you would then be invited to make a formal application to be assessed as prospective adopter(s).
   
• Preparation – all IAC applicants are asked to attend either a three day general preparation course or a two day kinship preparation course at Barnet. These courses are run in small groups, led by two experienced social workers one of whom is generally an adoptive parent. In very exceptional circumstances, bespoke preparation is arranged.
   
• Statutory checks – as part of our duties we are asked to undertake checks upon any applicant, including Enhanced Criminal Record Bureau Checks and Health checks.
   
• Assessment report – you will be allocated a social worker who will interview you in depth in order to prepare a report about yourself and your adoption plans, including recommendations as to your suitability as a prospective adoptive parent.
   
• Adoption Panel – IAC’s Adoption Panel meets regularly to hear adoption applications and to make recommendations as to applicants; suitability to adopt.
   
• Collating and forwarding of paperwork to the Department of Children, Schools and Families is undertaken by IAC’s Assessment Team Manager and Assessment Team Administrator.
   
• Annual review of suitability to ensure that your approval remain valid.
   
• Opportunity to attend a workshop for intercountry adopters whose application documents are in the overseas country and who are awaiting a child match.
   
• Support at the time you are matched with a child, including a counselling meeting with a social worker and a medical opinion from the Agency Medical Advisor on the health of the child (as indicated in the medical reports from the overseas country).
   

• One post placement visit from a social worker following the child’s arrival.
   

• An opportunity to attend an IAC Adoption Support workshop within the first two years of placement.