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A to Z

Adoption A-Z

This index contains links to documents on this adoption website, most of the other main forms and documents used by the Agency and to other relevant web resources.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z



A

Adoption agencies, all

Links to British Association for Adoption and Fostering online list of adoption agencies.

Adoption agencies, local authority (Word,282Kb)

Links to DfES online list of council adoption agencies.

Adoption Agency Regulations 2005

Link to DfES website - the main government regulations relating to arranging adoptions, approving adopters, panels, etc.

Adoption and Children Act 2002

The main law governing adoption.

Adoption and Children Act 2002 main changes (PDF, 51Kb)

This paper summarises the main changes brought about by the new Act.

Adoption court rules

The rules the court applies in hearing adoption applications.

Adoption Guidance

Link to DfES website with comprehensive guidance on all aspects of the Adoption and Children Act 2002.

Adoption meeting request form (Word, 31Kb)

The form completed by a child's social worker to request a meeting to refer the child to the adoption agency.

Adoption order and beyond fact sheet

See fact sheet 3 - Adoption order and beyond.

Adoption order application, court report

See Court report format adoption order.

Adoption referral form (Word, 47Kb)

Completed by the child's social worker with an adoption team member to achieve the child's referral to the adoption agency.

Adoption Register checklist (PDF, 30Kb)

This checklist for social workers explains the main requirements about registering children and how to do it.

Adoption Register for England and Wales,

Links to AR website.

Adoption support leaflet

See Supporting people affected by adoption.

Adoption Support Plan (Word,108Kb)

To be written by social workers for the child and adopters before match goes to panel.  Sets out how agency will support all involved.

Adoptive applicants' checks and references procedures (PDF, 41Kb)

Sets out what checks and references need to be carried out before a person is put forward as a suitable adopter.

Adoptive applicants' leaflet re attending panel (PDF, 251Kb)

Sent to applicants inviting them to attend panel where their case is being considered.

Adoptive applicants' questionnaire re attending panel (PDF, 14Kb)

Sent to appliants to seek their views on panel attendance.

Adoptive enquirers and applicants: seeking panel advice regarding enquirers and brief reports regarding applicants (PDF, 184Kb)

This addendum to the Permanence Panel procedures sets out the Panel and decision maker's duties in respect of adoptive enquirers and applicants whose cases are brought to Panel before an assessment is completed.

After panel, what next? - fact sheet

See fact sheet 1 - After panel, what next?

Agendas for permanence panel

See Permanence Panel standard agendas.

Assessment procedures, prospective adoptive applicants

See prospective adoptive applicants assessment procedures.

B

BAAF forms Not available on website because they are 'subscription only'.  See O/Children and Families/Adoption/Docs4all/BAAF forms (blanks to download).
BAAF website
Benefits leaflet (PDF, 231Kb) Informs prospective adopters of all the benefits to which they may be entitled when a child is placed with them.
Best interests guidance for social workers See Guidance for social workers-children on whether child to be placed for adoption.
Birth parent guide where child is in care proceedings (PDF,197Kb) A guide to be given to birth parents by childrens' social workers on what adoption means, consent, placement orders, future contact and other issues.
Birth parent guide where parent is considering relinquishing the child for adoption (PDF,188Kb) A guide to be given to birth parents by childrens' social workers on what adoption means, consent, placement orders, future contact and other issues.
Birth parents, procedure for attending permanence panel See Involving Birth Parents in Permanence Panel Recommendations.
Birth parents' leaflet on attending permanence panel (PDF, 251Kb) A leaflet to be given to birth parents by childrens' social workers inviting them to express their views and how they can attend panel to do so.
Booklist for adopters (PDF, 84Kb) A list of books available for loan by adopters, foster carers and link carers.
Brief reports concerning applicants See Adoptive enquirers and applicants: seeking panel advice regarding enquirers and brief reports regarding applicants. 

C

Change of plan from adoption to another permanence option (PDF, 28Kb) Explains what a child's social worker must do if the plan for a child changes from adoption to another permanence option.
CHARMS Database used by Agency to store confidential information regarding children and adopters.  This links to Computer Help Ltd (manufacturer's) website.
Checklist of permanence options See Options for achieving permanence checklist.
Checks and references on adoptive applicants See Adoptive applicants' checks and references procedures.
Child's adoption file index (PDF, 31Kb) This sets out how papers in a child's adoption file should be organised.
Child's Permanence Report form Not available on website as this is a BAAF 'subscription only' form.  Obtain from O/Children and Families/Adoption/Docs4all/Whether child should be placed for adoption.
Child's Portrait Form (word, 56Kb) Profile of a child's day-to-day functioning completed by foster carer to assist matching and placement.
Children's Guardian views regarding a proposal that a child should be placed for adoption A form to be given to the child's guardian where a child is in care proceedings seeking their view of the adoption plan.  You can find this at O/children and Families/Adoption/Docs4all/Whether child should be placed for adoption guidance/Part H BAAF Form CPR July 2006 Suffolk version.doc.
Children's Guide (PDF,14.33MB) A guide for children being adopted in Suffolk.
Chronology format for adopter assessments 
(PDF, 108Kb)		 Chronology format for adoptive applicants to complete as part of their assessment.

Chronology guidance (PDF, 55Kb)

 Guidance for adoption social workers on using the chronology as part of adopter assessment.
Circular LAC (99) 29 (PDF, 1.1MB) Important government circular to local authorities requiring them to make "parrallel" permanence plans for looked after children to avoid delay.
Confidentiality agreement See Oberver's agreement
Confidentiality leaflet (PDF, 167Kb) Written for professionals from all agencies this leaflet explains how and why it is important to keep adoption information safe.
Confidentiality of records See Information management and recording policy - appendix on adoption issues.
Consent to medical treatment (Word, 23Kb) A letter signed by the Head of Adoption consenting to prospective adopters seeking some kinds of treatment for children placed with them.
Considerations for psychiatrists providing references (PDF, 53Kb) This background paper is for psychiatrists who are asked to provide a reference for people applying to be adoptive parents for permanent foster carers who have had some previous mental disorder.
Consortium child's profile (Word, 32Kb) A format summarising the profile of a child for whom an adoptive family is being sought for use with other adoption agencies in the East Anglian Consortium.
Consortium consent form (Word, 27Kb) A form giving permission for a child's details to be sent seeking possible matches to the East Anglian Consortium of Adoption Agencies and the Adoption Register for England and Wales.
County Matching Meeting information (PDF, 49Kb) Explains fortnightly meeting to make family finding plan for children requiring adoption.
County matching meeting minutes format (Word, 62Kb) Macro to assist minute taker and chair at County Matching Meeting.
Court protocol (PDF, 1.1MB) This judicial case protocol sets guidelines for avoiding delay in deciding children's care cases.
Court report format adoption order (Word, 212Kb) A format for a court report required to be completed by social workers where an application is made for an adoption order.
Court report format placement order (Word, 130Kb) A format for a court report required to be completed by social workers where an application is made for a placement order.
Court report format special guardianship 
(Word, 30Kb)		 A format for a court report required to be completed by social workers where an application is made for a special guardianship order.
Court rules for adoption cases See Adoption court rules.

D

Depressive mental illness leaflet (PDF, 124Kb) Explains the possible implications for children of their birth parents' depressive mental illness and the implicatons for carers.
DfES adoption website Links to the main government website dealing with adoption issues.
Disruption procedures (PDF, 26Kb) Procedures to be followed where there has been an unplanned end to an adoptive placement.
Drug abuse in pregnancy leaflet (PDF, 127Kb) Explains the risks to children posed by drug abuse in pregnancy and the possible outcomes.

E
F

Fact sheet 1 - After Panel, what next? (PDF, 201Kb) Explains how adoption social workers support prospective adopters after they are approved and what happens next.
Fact sheet 2 - From Matching to Placement (PDF, 152Kb) Explains for prospective adopters how matches are proposed, put to panel and the process of introductions.
Fact sheet 3 - Adoption Order and Beyond (PDF, 216Kb) Explains for prospective adopters and adopters about legal, identity, and other issues which typically emerge after a child is adopted.
Feedback form (Word, 30Kb) A form completed by those attending permanence panel meetings.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Leaflet (PDF, 124Kb) This leaflet explains what foetal alcohol syndrome is, its incidence and its possible effects on children's development.
Form Fs, Panel and Agency shared expectations re: contents See Panel and Agency shared expectations re content of Form Fs.
From Matching to Placement - fact sheet See fact sheet 2 - from Matching to Placement.
  Form to be submitted by adoption social workers with an adoption assessment showing adoption guidance timescales.

G

Good Practice Guide Sets out guidance for childcare social workers in Suffolk.
Guardian's views of adoption plan See Children's guardian's views regarding a proposal that a child should be placed for adoption.
Guidance for social workers on Matching This guidance is for children's social workers and adoption social workers bringing a match to permanence panel.  This links to Guidance for social workers on matching page.
Guidance for social workers on whether a child is to be placed for adoption This guidance is for children's social workers bringing children to permanence panel to recommend they be placed for adoption.  This links to Guidance for social workers - children page.
Guidance for social workers - reviews This links to the webpage giving guidance for social workers and others on carrying out reviews for children placed for adoption but not yet adopted.
Guide for birth parents where child is in care proceedings See birth parent guide where child is in care proceedings.

H

Healthy lifestyles leaflet (PDF, 127Kb) This leaflet explains what a healthy lifestyle is and why it is so important for prospective adopters and long term foster carers.

I

Independent Review Mechanism Means by which applicants may seek review of Agency recommendation. This links to IRM website.
Information leaflet for birth parents about attending permanence panel See Birth parents’ leaflet on attending Permanence Panel
Information leaflet for prospective adopters about attending permanence panel See Adoptive applicants’ leaflet regarding attending panel
Information management and recording policy- Appendix on adoption issues (PDF, 72Kb) Sets out policy and practice regarding the care of adoption records including confidentiality.
Inspection Report (PDF, 200Kb) The report by the Commission for Social Care Inspection on Suffolk Adoption Agency in November 2005
Inter country adoption enquirer's procedure (PDF, 33Kb) Advice to staff on putting inter country adoption enquirers in touch with PACT
Inter agency placement FAQs (PDF, 96Kb) A paper primarily for other adoption agencies with whom an interagency placement is being considered to describe Suffolk practice on such placements in detail
Introductions programme chart (Word, 27Kb) A chart template for use in introductions programmes.
Involving birth parents in permanence panel recommendations (PDF, 45Kb) Procedures for involving birth parents in permanence panel meetings where the panel is considering whether their child should be placed for adoption.
Involving young people in permanence panel recommendations (PDF, 32Kb) Procedures for involving young people in permanence panel recommendations where adoption is being considered.

J
K

Keeping children safe at home (PDF, 136Kb) This leaflet explains how the most common accidents to children tend to happen and suggests ways of avoiding them

L

LAC (99) 29 See Circular LAC (99) 29
Law Links to Adoption law directory page
Letter proposing placement (Word, 50Kb) A standard letter sent to prospective adopters when a child is placed with them setting out mutual expectations.
Letter to other adoption agency re possible inter agency placement (Word, 137Kb) This letter is sent with other documents to other agencies with whom Suffolk may arrange an inter agency placement.
Letterbox procedures (PDF, 55Kb) Procedures for exchange of mail and information between birth relatives, adopters and children.
Links Links to Resources for practice page.
Locations of offices See Suffolk Adoption Guide.

M

Managers of Suffolk Adoption Agency See Suffolk Adoption Guide.
Matching Guidance for social workers See Guidance for social workers on matching.
Matching meeting See County Matching Meeting.
Matching Report format (Word, 72Kb) Report produced by social workers for child and adopters proposing a suitable match to permanence panel.
Matching/placing with agency adopters procedures (PDF, 122Kb) These procedures mainly for adoption social workers explain how to proceed with matching and placement of a child with Suffolk adopters.
Medical advisers See Suffolk Adoption Guide. For role, See permanence panel procedures.
Medical guidelines (PDF, 210Kb) Guides social workers bringing children or adopters to panel on obtaining required medical examination and reports.
Medical issues (PPT, 134Kb) PowerPoint presentation by Dr Regina Chandraraj on medical issues of children requiring adoption.
Members of the Permanence Panels See Permanence panel members.
Mental illness leaflet, depressive See Depressive mental illness leaflet.

N

Name changes for children See Policies of the Suffolk Adoption Agency.
National Minimum Standards for Adoption Standards upon which Agency is inspected by Commission for Social Care Inspection.
National Minimum Standards for Adoption Support Agencies Standards upon which Adoption Support Agencies are inspected by Commission for Social Care Inspection.
NHS Form 58c (PDF, 25Kb) A form given to prospective adopters when a child is placed with them facilitating the child’s registration with a GP practice.

O

Observers agreement (PDF, 19Kb) Confidentiality agreement to be signed by any visitors observing the permanence panel.
Observing a panel Links to permanence panels page on how appropriate professionals may observe a panel as part of their training or induction.
Options for achieving permanence checklist (PDF, 29Kb) This checklist briefly compares adoption, special guardianship, residence orders and permanent fostering as permanence outcomes for children.

P

Panel and Agency shared expectations re content of Form Fs (PDF, 29Kb) A list of things that each Form F (adopter’s report) should contain when presented to permanence panel.
Panel advice regarding enquirers See Adoptive enquirers and applicants: Seeking panel advice regarding enquirers and brief reports regarding applicants.
Panel chair role See Permanence Panel procedures.
Panel members’ induction seminar (PPT, 270Kb) This PowerPoint presentation provides basic information for new permanence panel members and others coming to panel.
Permanence options See Options for achieving permanence checklist.
Permanence Panel checklists (PDF, 34Kb) Guidance for panel members on what to look for when considering panel papers.
Permanence Panel dates Forthcoming dates for permanence panels.
Permanence panel location Links to permanence panels page.
Permanence Panel members List of all members of Suffolk’s permanence panels.
Permanence Panel procedures (PDF, 184Kb) Sets out roles of panel members, tenure, requirements and procedures for managing permanence panels.
Permanence Panel standard agendas (PDF, 69Kb) Sets out standard agendas for the main kinds of item about which the panel must make recommendations.
Permanence plan format (Word, 137Kb) Format for plan for a child’s permanence plan which must be completed by the time the child has been looked after for 4 months.
Placement notification of a child placed for adoption to the adoption agency (Word, 22Kb) Form that child’s social worker sends to adoption admin to confirm date of a child’s placement for adoption.
Placement notification to designated nurse (Word, 25Kb) Form that child’s social worker sends to the designated to confirm child’s placement for adoption.
Placement notification to medical adviser (Word, 26Kb) Form that child’s social worker sends to medical adviser to confirm child’s placement for adoption.
Placement order application, court report format See Court report format placement order.
Placement Planning Meeting format (Word, 171Kb) Sets out agenda for meeting with prospective adopters when a match is being considered.
Policies of the Suffolk Adoption Agency (PDF, 141Kb) All the Agency’s policies relating to work with children, birth parents, applicants, those requiring adoption support, panels and other issues.
Procedure for checks and references for adoptive applicants See Adoptive applicants’ checks and references procedures.
Procedure for interagency placement (PDF, 46Kb) This procedure for adoption social workers explains what needs to be done to authorise and proceed with an interagency placement for a child.
Procedure for involving birth parents in permanence panel See Involving birth parents in permanence panel recommendations.
Procedure for involving young people in permanence panel See Involving young people in permanence panel recommendations.
Procedure for requesting a referral meeting (PDF, 65Kb) This informs children’s social workers how to arrange an adoption referral meeting.
Procedures Links to Policies and procedures page.
Procedures for disruption See Disruption procedures.
Professional Adviser role (PDF, 63Kb) Describes main tasks in relation to permanence panel for those deputising. See also Permanence Panel procedures.
Prospective adoptive applicants assessment procedures (PDF, 120Kb) Sets out how adoption social workers will approach the task of assessing adoptive applicants.
Protocol for permanence panel members (PDF, 32Kb) Agreement which panel members must sign setting out expectations about how they will fulfil their role and support they will receive.

Q
R

Reasons why a child may be placed for adoption See Summary reasons why child should be placed for adoption.
References and checks on adoptive applicants See Adoptive applicants’ checks and references procedures.
Referral meeting, how to arrange See Procedure for requesting a referral meeting.
Regulations Link to DfES website with all Regulations made under Adoption and Children Act 2002.
Request for a referral meeting See Procedure for requesting a referral meeting.
Review consultation form - adopters (Word, 51Kb) A form seeking adopters views before a review takes place.
Review consultation form - children (Word, 30Kb) A form seeking children’s views before a review takes place.
Review - planning and review managers report (Word, 94Kb)  A form recording the outcome of the child’s review completed by the independent reviewing officer.
Reviews of children See guidance for social workers- reviews.
Review report - adoption social worker (Word, 60Kb) The report to be completed by the adopters’ social worker for a review of a child placed for adoption.
Review report – child’s social worker (Word, 93Kb) The report to be completed by a child’s social worker for a review of a child placed for adoption.

S

Safeguarding guidelines (PDF, 196Kb) These guidelines for social workers address the particular safeguarding needs of children placed for adoption but not yet adopted.
Schizophrenia leaflet (PDF, 126Kb) This leaflet explains what schizophrenia is, its symptoms, prognosis, possible outcomes and implications for the person and their family.
Special Guardianship Guidance (PDF, 193Kb) Government Guidance relating to Special Guardianship.
Special Guardianship main features (PPT, 6.5MB) PowerPoint presentation on main features of Special Guardianship.
Special guardianship order application, court report format See Court report format special guardianship order.
Special Guardianship Regulations Government Regulations governing Special Guardianship.
Staff details For managers and social work staff qualifications etc, see the Suffolk Adoption Guide.
Standards, Adoption Support Agencies See National Minimum Standards for Adoption Support Agencies.
Standards, National Minimum for adoption See National Minimum Standards for Adoption.
Statement of Purpose See Suffolk Adoption Guide.
Suffolk Adoption Guide (PDF, 570Kb) Describes all the services provided by Suffolk Adoption Agency.
Summary reasons why child should be placed for adoption (PDF, 21Kb) This is a fictitious example for childrens’ social workers of the kinds of reasons panel is looking for when recommending that a child should be placed for adoption.
Supporting people affected by adoption (PDF, 1.2MB) This leaflet explains the services offered by Suffolk’s Adoption Support Team.

T
U
V
W

Welfare Checklist A list of principles contained in Section 1 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 that the Agency and Courts must bear in mind when coming to a decision relating to the adoption of a child.

X
Y

Young people, involvement in Permanence Panels. See Involving young people in permanence panel recommendations.

Z

Adoption