Adoption Service
As an adoption agency the Society has, over the decades, provided thousands of children with the experience of a stable family life. Adoption of course is not just another bureaucratic exercise but a dynamic, vibrant process in which the most sensitive and profound human feelings are involved, feelings which go to the heart of an individual’s identity and their relationship with the world around them. Working with these issues and feelings requires the Society to represent and value the position of birth parents, adopted children, siblings, adoptive parents and birth relatives.
What is Adoption?
Adoption is a legal process by which children become permanent members of families to which they are not born. Adoptive parents take on full parental responsibility for the child once the Adoption Order has been made. There may or may not be contact with the birth family once an adoption has taken place depending on the best interests of the child.
The children in need of adoption
They can be:
- pre-school and school age children
- children who have had difficult and upsetting experiences
- children from various racial, cultural and religious backgrounds
- brothers and sisters needing to be placed together in one family
- children with complex needs including children with disabilities
What the children need
Whatever these children have experienced in their lives, they all need to be brought up in the security and stability of a loving family.
Children waiting for families
Susan is five years old, nearly six. She is a delightful little girl who is a joy to care for. She does not expect much from life and needs to be special to somebody. She has had many difficult experiences and needs lots of positives to build up her confidence. Susan should be the youngest child in the family by at least four years.
Kingsley is 4 years old. He is a happy and contented little boy who likes playing out with other children. His birth father is African and his mother White British. Ideally he should be placed with a family that reflects or can promote his racial and cultural identity.
James is 10 years old. He has been in care since the age of 7 and has already experienced one adoptive placement breakdown. He loves football and swimming and is now desperate to belong to a family having lost all contact with his birth parents. He will need to be the youngest and have parents who will provide firm boundaries as well as love and attention.
David is 18 months old. He has developmental delay and some emotional difficulties. David has been with his foster carers for over a year and they love him very much but cannot provide him with the security of adoption. David is a gorgeous little boy who will need lots of time and attention. He is likely to need ongoing help in school.
Who can adopt through CCRS?
Applications can be considered from the following areas:
- The Salford Diocese
- The Shrewsbury Diocese
- The Greater Manchester and Cheshire areas
See our interactive map indicating CCRS recruitment areas.
Applications from outside these areas will be considered depending on individual circumstances
Basic requirements
- If you are a couple you need to be married
- Single people can also apply
- All applicants should be 21 years old by the date of application
- If you are undergoing infertility investigations these need to have been concluded
- You may already have children of your own.
Each child is unique and so we are looking for a wide range of adopters. However, caring for children who have had a difficult past can be very challenging. Some of the strengths and qualities you will need are:
- a sense of humour
- a flexible, patient and open-minded approach
- commitment to stick with your child when the going gets tough
- support from family, friends and sources such as other adopters
- a willingness to work in partnership with CCRS and other involved agencies
We appreciate that making an initial enquiry can be a difficult step to take. It is important for you to know that you will receive a friendly and understanding response from us.
The adoption process
- When you first enquire, we will send you a pack that gives detailed information about adoption with us.
- An initial visit by a Social Worker to find out if adoption is right for you and to talk through the process.
- attending training on adoption issues
- an assessment report compiled by your Social Worker following a series of home visits (this report is shared with you)
- medicals with your GP
- routine Police and Local Authority checks
- interviews with three referees
- recommendation to the Adoption Panel
- approval by the agency
We understand that the process of adoption, especially the assessment aspect, can appear intrusive to some people. We hope that our professional but friendly approach will lessen any anxieties you may have. The assessment itself is usually completed within eight months. It consists of approximately six to eight sessions with your Social Worker, held mostly at your home.
CCRS offers comprehensive post-placement and post-adoption support, including an ‘open door’ policy for you to contact us when, and if, needed. We have specialist staff to help you with any post adoption issues (for more information – see the Post Adoption Section).
Case study
Susan is 8 years old and has lived with her adoptive family since she was a little toddler. She was having difficulty making friends. She often got angry and hit out at her family and class mates.
Susan came for sessions with her mum. Susan worked on her life story and was able to talk about her 'tummy mummy' and why she came to be adopted. Although Susan had heard her story many times, she was able to write it down for herself. She also got to draw her own life journey.
Her parents were provided with reading and parenting strategies to help Susan feel more secure at home and at school.
Susan is now more settled within her family and has made some great friendships.
How to get in touch
Tel: 0161 445 7741
Address: 390 Parrs Wood Road, Didsbury, Manchester M20 5NA