The Department issues practice guidance on a range of topics related to adoption.
Although local authorities are not under a statutory duty to follow this guidance, we recommend that the materials available in the associated resources on this page are used to help agencies to improve their practice in adoption.
This guidance is for adoption practitioners responsible for assessing prospective adopters - whether they intend to adopt a child from this country or from abroad. It explains how practitioners should carry out their work in the context of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 - the term 'practitioner' in this guidance means the social worker who assesses prospective adopters.
PDF, 259 Kb
A suggested means test which local authorities may wish to use in calculating financial support for adopters and special guardians. The means test has been modified following trials with various local authorities.
Word, 75 Kb
Adoption support and special guardianship financial support means test model
Excel, 29 Kb
This good practice guidance is for frontline practitioners in England involved on a day-to-day basis in assessing the support needs of people affected by adoption.
External link
This non-statutory practice guidance is for practitioners working with adopted adults and birth relatives who wish to find out about an adoption, and who may wish to trace and establish contact with their birth relatives through the provision of intermediary services.
External link
