Adoption is when your child permanently lives with another family and describes the legal process whereby parental responsibility transfers from you to the proposed adoptive parents. The Adoption Order is granted by the NSW Supreme Court (using the Adoption Act) and is a permanent Order which does not expire when the child turns 18. The making of an Adoption Order results in a new birth certificate being issued for the child.
You might consider adoption if you feel unable to care for your child due to your personal circumstances or family, financial or social pressures.
You can contact Anglicare Sydney at any time during the pregnancy or after the birth of the baby to find out more information or discuss your circumstances.
If you are planning to place your baby with an adoptive family, once your child is born you are asked to sign a voluntary agreement so they can stay on a temporary basis with authorised foster carers. You can visit your child or request they be returned to you at any time. During this time, you will meet with a worker who will discuss the emotional and legal implications of adoption with you.
Parents who consider adoption often report experiencing mixed and painful emotions. It is important for you to have time to adjust to the birth of your baby before making a choice about adoption. As the implications of the decision to place a child for adoption are life long, all parenting options and alternatives to adoption will be discussed with you. This will help you make an informed decision about your child’s care and future.
If you decide adoption is best for you and your baby, you will participate in Registered Adoption Counselling and then be required to provide your legal consent. After the consent document is signed, you have a period of 30 days to change your mind.
Anglicare embraces open adoption practices ensuring children are raised knowing they are adopted and connected to their birth family. Openness in adoption means you will be able to have ongoing face to face visits and other forms of contact with your child as he or she grows up. The nature and frequency of post adoption contact will be discussed with you and recorded in a document called an Adoption Plan.
You will be supported and invited to select the adoptive parents for your child by reading profiles of different adoptive families and considering what is important to you.
Anglicare Sydney will help your child settle into their new family and support contact between you, the child and the adoptive family.
Potential adoptive parents approved by Anglicare have been thoroughly screened, trained and assessed. They must demonstrate an attitude of openness and have the skills to parent an adopted child, support their identity development and meet their needs throughout the child’s lifetime. Adoptive parents come from diverse backgrounds and will have demonstrated their ability to meet the cultural and other needs of a child.
Anglicare's post adoption support services include:
If you would like to speak to a worker today, please feel free to contact us on (02) 9890 6800 and ask to speak to someone from the Adoption and Guardianship team. Alternatively, please complete the enquiry form below and a worker will contact you at a suitable time. Our office is located in Telopea however we can meet with you at a time and location convenient for you within a 200km radius of Sydney. With your consent, the hospital social worker, midwife or early childhood nurse can also contact us on your behalf.