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21 January 2022 / Fiona Lyon
Issue: 7963 / Categories: Features , Family
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Pathways to adoption

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Fiona Lyon sets out the process for adopting both within the UK & overseas
  • The current procedure for adopting a child; eligibility criteria and the three-stage process to obtain agency approval.
  • Differing requirements and points to be aware of when considering adopting from another country.

Legal adoption has evolved in society in order to protect children. It is a way in which people can become parents, but the safety of the child comes first and foremost for all professionals working in this field. This concept was not always reflected in the relevant legislation.

The current law

The relevant legislation is the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (ACA 2002) and it was brought in to increase the numbers of people coming forward to adopt by providing a more supportive framework. ACA 2002 updated the existing law and brought it in line with the Children Act 1989.

This simplified the process, and ensured that the best interests of the child were addressed early on and that their welfare was treated as being paramount. A new adoption welfare checklist was introduced, which included looking

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