How Does an Adoption Panel Work
When Adopting a Child?

When adopting a child you will need to fill out a form applying for adoption. Once this is complete your adoption agency or representative will evaluate the application.

In order to help out in this area of the adoption process, the agency will appoint a team of people who will assist them in determining the possibilities of the adoption. This team is referred to as the "adoption panel."

It is the adoption panel's responsibility to evaluate the background and legibility of your family prior to the final decision of the court.

A case worker will act as a mediator between you (the adopting family) and the adoption panel. Of course the main goal of the case worker and the adoption panel is to find a loving, caring and supportive home and family for the child.

So these two parties meet and evaluate the application of each adopting family making sure that their main goal is always a top priority.

The length of time for the adoption panel to evaluate and assess each adopting families application will depend on how many applications are in line for a certain child's adoption. Each applying family will be investigated based on the specifications and requirements of the adoption agency.

If your family has been considered for adopting a child, you will then be able to attend the panel's discussion.

All transactions and documentations are kept highly confidential by the adoption panel and they also ensure that all the interests of all adopting families are met. They will make recommendations to the adoption agency and then it is up to the agency to discuss the matter with you or the adopting family who has passed the evaluation.

During the adoption evaluation, the case worker will report any concerns from the applicants. These concerns are included in the application; the panel looks at these concerns as part of the evaluation process.

Finally the adoption panel will cast their vote. Of course, majority wins, and if any concerns or issues arise and the members end up disagreeing about something, there will be further discussion to reconcile the decision and then come to a final verdict.

Once everyone has decided, the leader of the panel will make a recommendation to the adoption agency what they think should be the next step when proceeding with the adoption process.

The application for adopting a child is made legal and the adoption is finalized through a decree authorized by a court judge.

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