If you’re worried that your child may be put up for adoption, having expert legal advice to call on is vital. In what is undoubtedly a distressing time, we will give you sensible guidance you can trust and steadfast legal support.
There are ways to change the outcome of care proceedings, and we will help you make sense of your options, so you know exactly what you need to do.
For all child care related matters please don’t hesitate to call Denise Herman on 01923 725015 or email ChildCare@blasermills.co.uk for help. Alternatively, fill in our contact form.
Clear, practical guidance
When children’s services are considering putting your child forward for adoption, it is understandable to feel panicked. There is a chance you lose your relationship with your child altogether. However, we will work closely with you over the coming months to help you get the best possible outcome.
We’ve guided countless families through care and placement proceedings, which can involve applications for a child to be placed for adoption. Our job is to manage what is a stressful situation, and we do this by being honest and realistic so you can work towards building a better future.
We take a positive approach, focusing on realistic solutions, not false hope. We’ll work closely with you and be available to answer your questions whenever you need us.
What are birth parents’ rights?
Before a child is put forward for adoption, the court will want to check whether you, the birth parent, agrees to it. If you do not, then the Court will need to decide if the children’s welfare throughout their lives still requires them to be placed for adoption. The Court will use this basis to determine whether to make an order authorising the Local Authority to place a child for adoption, known as a Placement Order.
Most applications for a Placement Order take place when care proceedings are already going on. The process gives you the opportunity to try to prevent an adoption from happening, but it really helps to have adoption lawyers on your side to put forward the best case. By speaking to us early, our family law team can take you through the entire process.
Legal aid to oppose the making of a placement order is available on a non-means and non-merits tested basis, whether or not the Placement Application is being made within Care Proceedings.
Stopping the adoption process
Once the Local Authority applies for a Placement Order, it is likely that you are already far along in care proceedings and that they have not gone well for your family. It is difficult, but not impossible, to persuade the Court to refuse the Placement Order application.
Even if the children cannot come home safely, the Court can be persuaded to make a different long-term decision (such as foster care, or care by a family member). If that happens, you may be able to get more contact to your children and the chance that one day they could return home if changes are made.
Revoking (cancelling) a Placement Order
As long as your child is not placed for adoption already, if there has been a change in circumstances, parents can apply for the Court’s permission to revoke (cancel) the Placement Order. This prevents the Local Authority from trying to place your children for adoption. If a child is about to be placed, we can work extremely quickly to make your application before this happens.
Challenging a Final Adoption Application
In situations where a child has already been placed, and the prospective adopters have made their application for an Adoption Order, you will need the Court’s permission to oppose this application. Non-means and non-merits tested legal aid is available to seek the Court’s permission to challenge an adoption application and you should contact us for advice urgently if this is your situation.
Supporting you
These are always extremely difficult and emotional applications, where sensitivity and expertise is vital. There are circumstances when the Court will almost definitely come to a decision that goes against you. If this is the case for you, we can help you prepare for the outcome and understand your options.
Getting legal advice is essential, whatever your position in contested Adoption and Children Act proceedings, and you may be able to get legal aid to take care of the costs, often on a non-means-non-merits-tested basis.
Adoption Law for adopters
If you are an adopter involved in a contested adoption case, whether that is a private arrangement or one through a Local Authority, you should contact us for support. The Local Authority may be able to fund some advice, if a birth parent has obtained the leave of the Court to oppose your application.
Contact us
For all child care related matters please don’t hesitate to call Denise Herman on 01923 725015 or email ChildCare@blasermills.co.uk for help. Alternatively, fill in our contact form.