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Adoption Assessment and Support Team (Newry) - Southern Trust

Contact Information

Address
Dromalane House, Dromalane Road, Newry, Co Down, BT35 8AP
Contact Person
Arthur Kirwan
Telephone Number
028 3756 4704 or 028 3756 6100
Email Address
Email
Web Address
Visit Website

Additional Information

Adoption is a legal process, which gives the adoptive parents all the rights, duties and responsibilities of natural parents. Once the Court gives the final approval for adoption, the new parents assume full parental responsibility for the child just as if he/she had been born to them. Foster carers on the other hand share the care with the Southern Health and Social Care Trust: they never assume legal responsibility for the child. In many cases children return to their family. All kinds of children are offered for adoption. There are always more adopters available than children. Traditionally people think of adoption in terms of babies. In fact, most adoptions are of older children and family groups. In many situations children will maintain some contact with parents and/or siblings. *** People wishing to make an adoption application must be Over the age of 21 years and not more than 40 years older than the child to be adopted Single people can apply to adopt Childless applicants will be expected to have sought medical advice about their infertility. An assessment will not be undertaken whilst a person is actively pursuing infertility treatment and for one year thereafter Once an enquiry has been made to the Trust and the potential suitability has been agreed, the name/s of applicant/s will be added to a waiting list for assessment What happens next? You will be required to attend a six-week course “Preparing to Adopt”. This course will be led by a social worker and an adoptive parent. This is an opportunity for your questions to be answered and for you to learn more about the whole process. Because there are so many people wanting to adopt it may take some time for an assessment to be commenced. Before the assessment (known as the Home Study) starts, a social worker will explain the process. There will be approximately 8/9 visits, which will take place every two weeks. You will be expected to make yourself available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Available to Age Groups
All Ages
Category of Services
  • Adoption Fostering & Looked After Children
Areas covered
  • Newry & Mourne
Method of Access (Referral)
  • Self
  • Social Worker



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