Second Time Adopters

When a child has been placed or adopted, it is not unusual for a sibling to be born later who is also to be placed for adoption. It is good practice that the adopters of the eldest child be approached to consider whether they wish to be assessed for a sibling so that the siblings can be brought up together which will benefit them both. This may be done by the child’s social worker or where the adoption of the first child is comparatively recent by the Adoption social worker.

Often Adopters are aware that Birth mother is pregnant and the new baby may be placed for adoption and they may express a view at this stage. However Adopters should only be formally approached when a SHOPBA decision is made. Not all pregnancies result in a live baby, medical issues need to be resolved and birth parents and other relatives need to be ruled out.

If the adopters do not wish to be considered as prospective adopters, they should be encouraged to consider contact. There is a minimum expectation that contact will be indirect once a year and they will agree to an exchange of information about each child – for life story book purposes.

If the adopters do wish to be considered as prospective adopters for the second sibling the procedure for assessment will depend on a number of issues.

• If Adopters original approval was for 1 or 2 children, and the first child has not been adopted and won’t be adopted by the time the matter goes to panel they are still Manchester approved prospective adopters and therefore the Prospective Adopters Report should be updated to reflect any changes in the adopter’s life circumstances. The updated Prospective Adopters Report should be taken to Panel for continued approval;
• If Adopters original approval was for 1 or 2 children, and the first child has been adopted, the case will have been closed. Therefore Adopters need to make a new application and a new assessment done. In exceptional circumstances and on the advice of the Legal Advisor the New Prospective Adopters Report can be taken to Panel for approval and match at the same time;
• If Adopters original approval was for 1 child, and the child has been adopted, the case will have been closed. Therefore Adopters need to make a new application and a new assessment done on new Prospective Adopters Report;
• If Adopters original approval was for 1 child, and the first child has not been adopted a decision needs to be made as to whether it is appropriate to place a new baby with its sibling (viability meeting) and will depend on the adopters circumstances, how long first child has been in placement and how they have settled etc. If it is felt appropriate and the adopters do want to go ahead then a new assessment will be needed.

• Both applicants should write an update of their life story - see Life Story Books Guidance;
• Where possible the same supervising social worker should do the second assessment;
• All Second Time Adopters will attend preparation groups for Second time adopters;
• Second Time Adopters assessment starts at Assessment and Approvals of Prospective Adopters, Stage Two - The Assessment Process Procedure;
• A second opinion visit will be undertaken by the Adoption Team Manager or Advanced Practitioner.

NB it is not Manchester’s practice to take an approval and match to panel at the same time.