You may be aware that it is legally possible to adopt a child from overseas. There are arrangements in place between the United Kingdom and other countries to allow, for humanitarian reasons, the safe and legal adoption of children from overseas.
Our experience in Oldham is that we only have occasional enquiries about overseas adoption and so we have an arrangement with an agency called Adoption Matters Northwest, which specialise in dealing with the varied complexities regarding inter-country adoption. They will provide advice and information relevant to the particular country that you wish to adopt from, to help you decide if inter-country adoption is the right thing for you.
You will be entitled to the same preparation and support as people adopting a child from the United Kingdom. However unlike people adopting a child from the United Kingdom you will have to pay a fee for your home study. Information about these charges will be provided by the agency you chose to undertake your assessment.
More information about inter country adoption is also available on the government website www.dcsf.gov.uk/intercountryadoption. There is also an Advice Line at the Inter Country Centre. The Home Office can also give information about immigration issues relating to adopting from abroad.
You should be aware that there will be further costs in arranging Inter Country Adoption such as travelling to the child’s country of origin and various administrative charges. These will vary from case to case.
The contact details for Adoption Matters Northwest
Address:
Adoption Matters Northwest
St Mary's House
Cathedral Close
Blackburn
BB1 5AA
Tel: 01254 57759
Fax: 01254 670810
email: info@adoptionmattersnw.org