Private adoption process

Q: What is a private adoption?

- Jeevie Pillay, an adoption specialist social worker, spoke to POST reporter Nadia Khan about private adoption

A: It is undertaken by an accredited adoption specialist social worker in private practice. Adoption is a specialist’s area of expertise.

Q: What are the requirements for a private adoption?

A: The prospective applicants need to first be screened to check if they are suitable to make an application. The biological parents need to consent to the proposed adoption. If a child is over 10 years old, they can consent to their adoption, provided they understand the nature of such a consent.

Q: Is there a “vetting process”?

A: Part of the screening process includes obtaining police clearance, checking the National Register for Sex Offenders, character references, individual interviews with applicants and extended family members, home visits and completing psychosocial assessments.

Q: What does it cost for a private adoption?