Q. What is adoption?

Q. If I am adopted, will I still be on a Care Order?

Q. I want to be adopted, but can I still see my birth family?

Q. I thought only babies could be adopted. Am I too old?

Q. How long does an adoption order last?

Q. Do I have to be adopted?

Q. What is the new Special Guardianship Order?

Q. If I am under a Special Guardianship Order will I be subject to a Care Order?

Q. What is adoption?

A. Adoption is more than just living with another family. It means that legally you become a member of that family and that you no longer belong to your birth family. When the court makes an adoption order it usually changes your name to that of your new family. You will be able to discuss any proposed change of your name with your new family.

The law about adoption will be changing at the end of December 2005 and will be explained in a later update.

Q. If I am adopted, will I still be under a Care Order?

A. No. When you are adopted, you are no longer in care so that neither Social Services or your birth family would have any responsibility for you, or any say in what happens to you.

Q. I want to be adopted, but can I still see my birth family?

A. Adoption can mean that you do not see any of your birth family again, but it depends on each person's case. It is something you would need to think carefully about during the court proceedings and to tell people clearly who you would want to see, and how often. The older you are, the more the court will take notice of what you want. The court will usually ask the same Children's Guardian who made a report in the care proceedings to see you again and make another report.

Q. I thought only babies could be adopted. Am I too old?

A. No. The court can make an adoption order at any time before your 18th birthday.

Q. How long does an adoption order last?

A. Forever. It is not like a Care Order, which finishes when you are 18. In certain circumstance you can go back to court to ask to end an adoption order, but this is very, very rare. You should speak to your solicitor about this.

Q. Do I have to be adopted?

A. It can be a very big and difficult decision to make if you have to decide whether or not you wish to be adopted. You should talk to as many people as possible about it and you can ask for special counselling to help you make this decision.

Q. What is the new Special Guardianship Order?

A. As an alternative to an Adoption Order, a new form of Order will be available after 30 December 2005, called the Special Guardianship Order. It is similar to an Adoption Order in that it gives the person caring for you Parental Responsibility, it should not be changed, and that person is the only one with the right to make decisions about what happens to you. It is different from an Adioption Order in that it only lasts until you are 18 and you will not lose your legal rights with your birth family, eg, contact.

Your Special Guardian may be given permission to change your name.

Q. If I am under a Special Guardianship Order will I be subject to a Care Order?

A. No. If a Special Guardianship Order is made you will not be in care although the local authority who held the Care Order maybe supporting your placement.