The Infant Adoption Program Information Session

Purpose of the Session

To provide you with a clear understanding of the process of adopting an infant. Awareness of legislation on current adoption practice. Enough information to make a decision whether adoption is an option for you. It is also to provide some information for those looking into Permanent Care.


History of Adoption in Victoria

The first Adoption Act was passed in Victoria in 1928. Other Acts have been passed over the years updating legislation. The proclamation of Adoption Act of 1984 introduced major changes.

In the 1960's there were 1600 babies for adoption in Victoria which dropped to 470 babies in the mid 1970's.


Adoption Today

There are currently nine agencies within Victoria that are geographically determined as well as the Catholic state wide program, Centacare.

All adoptions in Victoria are now open adoptions. Reasons for open adoption -
* Children have a right to it.
* It recognises that adoption is a life long process.
* It recognises that children need information to feel whole and to develop a healthy identity.
* It helps adoptive parents understand the child, e.g. traits and skills that are inherited.
* There are benefits for birth parents, who are reassured that the child is well and healthy.


Infants Available for Local Adoption

Currently there are around 20 babies available for adoption every year in Victoria. To provide the best match there should be 60 families on the register, however there are currently only 30. There is a high drop out rate during the first few stages of the process and many couples left during the Information Session itself.

Babies are usually 3-4 months old when placed with families but can be up to 12 months of age. Delays can be caused by medical conditions or if the pregnancy has been concealed and no plans have been made until after the baby has been born. For example, a boy was born with a high risk of muscular dystrophy, there was a 6 month delay while tests were done before they were able to determine that he was perfectly healthy. Had he had muscular dystrophy, he would have needed to be matched with a family who was prepared to take care of child with a serious health condition.

To ensure they are healthy there is a pediatric assessment at the hospital followed by the normal maternal and child health appointments. There can also be a 2nd pediatric appointment prior to placement. When you adopt a child you will be given all of the maternal and child health records. The babies birth certificate is also reissued with the adoptive parents names on it. There will also be information supplied of any medical conditions within the immediate and extended family, however often birth parents are unaware of these themselves. The most common conditions are asthma, eczema, short/long sightedness and blood pressure and heart disease later in life.

Birth families come from a range of backgrounds, but are mostly young women in their teens and twenties with or without partners who don't feel ready to be a parent themselves.

It currently costs $3000 plus to adopt through the program. Approval times vary. There is currently a six month wait to get into an Education Group. From Education Groups to Approval would optimally take nine months. There are usually delays, either with getting the paperwork in and properly completed or with being assigned a social worker for the Assessment. Once approved some couples will receive a placement after a few weeks, others wait for years.


Role of the Birth Family

The birth family are encouraged to be proactive with the child and to take the birth parent role very seriously. Both birth parents have unlimited access to Options Counseling where support, housing, work and the future are discussed. They must understand that adoption is life long and they won't forget about the child. They are required to make an informed decision about relinquishing. The Court must be satisfied that it is a fully informed the decision. They are encouraged to plan for the future of the child and they discuss scenarios and fears that may come up as the child gets older. In the short term are encouraged to visit the baby in hospital, nurse and feed the baby as well as name the baby so they face their situation instead of running away from it.

The baby must be 18 days old before the birth family can give consent for the baby to be adopted. Consent is rarely given at 18 days and usually happens between 1 and 2 months of age. During this time babies are placed in a pre-adoptive foster care placement, usually directly from hospital. The majority of these babies go on to be adopted. They are encouraged to be involved in the selection of an adoptive family and are shown profiles of families recommended by the agency. If they choose not to select an adoptive family themselves, a panel decides who would be the best match with the child.

After the adoption birth parents continue to have access to counseling when they need it. Adoptive parents and adopted children will need to make private arrangements. There is currently no services available to provide counseling and mediation between birth and adoptive parents following the legalisation of the adoption.


Contact with the Birth Family

Birth parents retain the right to have ongoing contact with the child - up to four visits a year. The may also request contact for extended family. Not all birth parents will request direct contact, they may request information and photographs to be provided on a regular basis. Access is held in a neutral setting and usually time is limited. The identity of both the birth and adoptive parents are limited to a first name basis and no addresses are given out.

Birth parents complete a 'wishes form' expressing what contact they would like and any details of information to be exchanged. They are encouraged to find relatives who may be interested in having contact with the child. They are encouraged to specify some sort of contact. Usually it is birth parents and grandparents who would like some contact into the future. Information can also be sent from the birth family to the adoptive family.

If you move interstate you will need to return to Victoria for contact visits. Moving overseas is "not an option".


Adoptive Applicants - Readiness to Adopt

There are no age restrictions within the program, however birth parents may specify the age they would like the adoptive parents to be. Applicants in their mid 40's may want to consider the Permanent Care Program as no one over 46 has been selected in the last 10 years.

You do not need to be married, however you must be able to show you have been living together in a stable heterosexual relationship for a minimum of two years.

Are you fit and healthy, physically and emotionally? If you have a medical condition you will need a report from your GP and any Specialists. If you are overweight your doctor must look at the risk of you developing diabetes and heart disease. They do not want to place a child with someone who has a high risk of dying within the next 18 years. There must be the expectation that you will be able to raise a child until independence.

You must wait 6 months after completing infertility treatment or suffering a miscarriage before applying to adopt. If you do adopt, you are required to make a written commitment to use contraceptive measures for two years following the placement. They would prefer that you do not provide foster care while waiting or after the adoption.

You need to be stable in your work, finances and housing. You will need to supply statements to demonstrate you are not living beyond you means. They will check that money is not going to be causing stress in the household over the first 12 months. It is suggested that you do not build a house or move into an existing home while waiting to adopt so you are able to provide a stable home and the family will not be stressed by moving house within the first 12 months.

One person will need to be able to provide full time care for at least the first twelve months of the placement. This cannot be shared between the couple.

Is the timing right for your application? You need to consider if now really is the best time to bring a child into your family.


The Adoption Process

Process for Applicants

The adoption process is outlined in the sidebar to the right. It's worth noting -
* The Education Groups consist of two days, usually 9:30am to 4:30pm, and both partners must attend.
* There will be a house check as part of the Assessment to ensure the home has appropriate safe guards.
* Legalisation takes around 12 months from the day the baby is placed with the adoptive family.
* The approval/disapproval/deferral should not be a surprise.
* Common reason for disapproval is the need to further grieve in regards to infertility.
* There is no time limit for the deferral.
* You can give permission to be placed on the central registry as well as the local regional one.

Process for Relinquishing Parents

Referral
Information
Counseling
Preparation of Background History
Consent to Adoption
Matching with a family
Exchange of Information
Placement of child
Legalisation of Adoption
Post-Legalisation Support