adopting locally
Community Services is the government agency responsible for the provision of adoption services in NSW. We work with birth parents who are considering adoption for their child and families who wish to adopt.
We are responsible for locating the most suitable families for adopted children to ensure the best interests of the child both in childhood and later life.
adoption of children under two years of age
Only around 10-20 infants and young children (under two) are adopted through Community Services each year, so only a small number of couples are included in the local adoption pool of approved applicants.
who can adopt children under two?
There are some standard criteria (See Thinking about adoption) which we consider for every type of adoption. However, adoption of a local infant or young child has some additional criteria:
- birth parents are involved in the selection of adoptive parents for their child. They usually request placement with a mother and a father, so it's unlikely that single people or same sex couples would be selected for placement.
adopting an older child (two-12)
Only a few children are referred to our older child program for placement each year.
Some of the children will be under the parental responsibility of the Minister for Community Services and may need long term foster care rather than adoption.
The children may range in age from two to 12 years.
who can adopt children over two?
Some of the children will have come into our care only recently, at their birth parents’ request, and others may have been in care for several years, and have experienced several foster care placements.
Previous experience with children, either through work or community settings or direct parenting experience is a definite advantage as these children's needs can be challenging.
adopting a child in out-of-home care
Carers often see adoption as a way of making a lifelong emotional and practical commitment to a child in their care.
Adoption confers all the rights and responsibilities of parenthood, and carers are aware that if they become the child’s adoptive parent, they will be in every way responsible for the child throughout their childhood and the child will be entitled to the benefits of full family membership throughout their life.
who can initiate the adoption process?
The possibility of adoption can be raised by carers, a child, birth family or the child’s caseworker.
It is recommended that you talk with family members to see whether they are supportive of the child becoming a permanent member of your family.
Adoption is a major decision, and it is important to be sensitive to the feelings of the birth parents. Discussions with birth parents about adoption are usually initiated by the child’s caseworker.
See the fact sheet Adopting a child in out-of-home care.
the adoption process
The process of adoption varies according to the child and placement program – see Thinking about adoption (PDF).
other agencies
There are a number of accredited adoption agencies who also provide adoption services in NSW.
CatholicCare Adoption Services
ph: 02 8709 9333
Anglicare Adoption Services
ph: 02 9890 6855
Barnardos Australia Adoptions
Adoption of children over two years
ph: 02 9281 5510
You may express interest with a number of agencies or programs, but you can only have an application with one program at one time.
support
Adoptive Parents Association of NSW
P.O. Box 629
Top Ryde 1680
ph: 02 9837 6760
email: apansw@gmail.com
The Adoptive Parents Association of NSW is a support group for couples and families in the NSW local adoption process.
Also see support organisations or support & counselling numbers.
