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« HOME STUDY
BIRTH PARENT INVOLVEMENT »

PLACEMENT

There are children who want and need the security and commitment of an adoption home and, at the same time, want and need to have periodic contact with particular members of their birth family, such as siblings and grandparents. The agency will look for adoption placements for such children, provided suitable and appropriate access arrangements can be made.

With the approval of the Child and Family Services Act (CFSA), continued contact of a child with the birth family may occur if the adoptive parents and the birth parents mutually agree.

Prior to a child being placed, extensive visiting occurs between the child and the prospective adoptive parents. The adoptive family is also provided with all of the non-identifying information regarding the child’s birth, life experiences, health and family background.

The placement of a child into an adoptive home begins the adoption probation period, which usually lasts a minimum of 6 months and is often up to 1 year.

Adoption probation is a critical period of adjustment for both the child and the adoptive family. This is a key integration process for the child … a time for all parties to ‘get comfortable’ with each other.

During the probation period an adoption worker will conduct regular home visits. These visits are to assist the family with any adjustment difficulties. It also allows the adoption worker to help out in any way, and to fully assess the extent to which the child has meshed with the adoptive family, and how the adoptive parents demonstrate the ability to absorb the child into the family.

Following the probation period, the adoption may be finalized in family court.

The court will only finalize an adoption if it is totally satisfied that the adoption order is in the child’s best interests. A summary report prepared by the adoption worker which addresses why it is in the best interests of the child to be adopted by the applicants is submitted to the court. The best interests of the child are defined in the CFSA, and include any factors that are relevant to the situation.

An adoption order is final and irrevocable. On the date the court makes the adoption order, the adopted child becomes, in law, the child of his or her adoptive parents and ceases, in law, to be the child of his or her birth parents or any other prior adoptive parent.