Falkirk Council

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Thursday, November 20th 2008

How to apply for adoption

Falkirk Council recruits adopters in collaboration with Stirling and Clackmannanshire. The three Councils also act as a consortium collaboratively providing preparatory training, post approval support, and matching children with the most appropriate adopters across the three Councils.

Falkirk Council usually formally recruits adopters annually by inviting enquiries, with reference to specified criteria|, through an advertisement in the local press.

Enquirers about adoption outwith these times will be sent a full information pack and given the opportunity, if they wish, to discuss their interest with a social worker. 

If you're interested in applying to adopt, please contact the duty social worker at the Fostering & Adoption Team using the contact details shown opposite. If you're sending an e-mail to us please include your postal address and a telephone number so that we can contact you.

It is important that people undergo a programme of preparation and training for prospective adopters before finally committing themselves to apply for this lifetime commitment. Falkirk Council will therefore normally not accept an application from prospective adopters until they have attended the initial information event (usually held annually) and the following preparation course. Should the Council feel unable to accept an application a full explanation will be given.

Following the acceptance of an application, Falkirk council aims to present the completed assessment to the Adoption Panel within six months. The assessment or home study has two main components:

  • Statutory enquiries and references (refer to the Fostering section).
  • A comprehensive profile of the applicants and their family, detailing the skills, experience, lifestyle and personal qualities they bring and identifying the children they feel they can best parent with reference to the section on Who are the children who need adoption.

The application will be presented to the Adoption Panel, who will recommend to the agency decision-maker whether the applicants should be approved and the number and age range of children.

Related Pages
Contact Us
  • By Post: 
    Fostering & Adoption Team
    Social Work Services
    Grangemouth Social Work office
    Oxgang Road
    Grangemouth
    FK3 9EF
  • By Telephone:
    01324 504343
  • By Fax:
    01324 504344
  • By Email:
    fosteringandadoption
    team@falkirk.gov.uk