Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
ARC Adoption North East
0191 516 6466
  • Search
  • Email
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Adoption process Adoption enquiry
Menu
  • About us
    • Values and mission
    • Meet the team
      • Our team
      • Our trustees
      • Our adoption panel
    • Vacancies
    • Reports and policy
      • Ofsted rating
      • Statement of purpose
      • Equality and diversity policy
      • Comments, compliments, and complaints policy
    • Contact us
  • About Adoption
    • How adoption works
    • Why choose a Voluntary Adoption Agency
    • The adoption process
      • Initial visit
      • Checks and references
      • Home visits
      • Adoption panel
      • Finding the right child for you
      • Matching panel
      • Make an enquiry
    • LGBTQ+
    • Inter-country adoption
    • Fostering for adoption
    • Adoption FAQs
    • Adopter reviews of ARC
  • Adoption support
    • Training
      • Bonding through play
      • Playful parenting
      • Connected by adoption
      • Buddy service
      • Support groups and events
      • Training dates
    • Learning resources
    • Children's guide to adoption
    • Therapeutic support
      • Therapeutic adoption support services
      • Social and peer support
      • Digital life story
      • Birth family support
  • Stories & impact
    • Adoption statistics and facts
    • Real life stories and recommended reading
  • Support our work
    • The Helen Linforth Children’s Fund
    • Volunteer
    • Become a buddy
    • Friends of ARC
  • News & events
    • News articles
    • Information Events & Workshops
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Initial visit
  1. About Adoption
  2. The adoption process
  3. Initial visit

Initial visit

When carrying out your research into adoption you are encouraged to contact and speak to as many adoption agencies as possible so that you can find the right agency for you.

Once you have made an enquiry with ARC Adoption, or attended one of ARC Adoption’s information events, having heard all there is to know about the outstanding team and support available to you, a member of the team who you will have already spoken to will arrange to come and visit you in your home.

This is called an initial visit, it is very informal and is an opportunity for you to have your questions answered in more detail, and importantly find out about the outstanding support that you will receive from the team at ARC Adoption.

It is also an opportunity and for us to get to know you a little. The questions that you will be asked are a confidential part of the process.

The team at ARC Adoption always strive to be open and honest and if there are any concerns that may prove to be an obstacle we will discuss them with you in the first instance, however there may be times when the person visiting you may need to seek further clarification on an issue with a senior manager.

The initial visit takes place at a date and time that is convenient to you, and usually lasts approximately two hours, during which the person carrying out the visit will look around your home to consider what space you have available for a child or children and if necessary, help to identify any potential risks. This is not something to worry or be concerned about. They will also ask you about any pets that you may have and what part they play in family life.

The person carrying out the initial visit will check your identification documents, they will contact you prior to the visit to let you know which documents you will need to have available.

At the end of the initial visit we will discuss the best way for you to progress and use this time to agree the best time to start your adoption journey, and the ways in which ARC Adoption can support you with growing your family.

The next stage in the adoption process is checks and references.

If you would like to arrange an initial visit then please call 0191 516 6466 or click Adoption enquiry and a member of the ARC Adoption team will contact you as soon as possible. 

Published: 18th December, 2018

Updated: 24th January, 2022

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Face-to-Face Adoption Information Event – Saturday 11th June 2022

    Face-to-Face Adoption Information Event – Saturday 11th June 2022

    Calling prospective adopters! Join us at our office in Sunderland for an informal information event where you can meet some of our friendly team along with an adoptive parent, finding out more about adoption and the extensive support available from ARC Adoption.

  • Virtual Adoption Information Event – Thursday 9th June 2022

    Virtual Adoption Information Event – Thursday 9th June 2022

    Join us at our June online information event to find out more about adoption from our friendly and experienced team. Learn about the adoption process, and hear about the thorough preparation and lifelong support that ARC is proud to provide it's adopters.

  • Paediatric First Aid Workshop - Sunday 12th June 2022

    Paediatric First Aid Workshop - Sunday 12th June 2022

    Come and join the ARC Adoption team for a practical workshop to demonstrate basic first aid and emergency procedures.

  • Fostering for Adoption Workshop - Thursday 16th June 2022

    Fostering for Adoption Workshop - Thursday 16th June 2022

    ARC Adoption North East would like to invite their adopters to a Fostering for Adoption workshop. It outlines the key aspects of the Fostering for Adoption process and how it differs from mainstream adoption. Come and join the team to find out more.

Related

  • Make an enquiry

    Make an enquiry

    There are various ways to make an enquiry. You can call a member of the ARC Adoption team on 0191 516 6466. Email [email protected] or complete the adoption enquiry form below.

  • Matching panel

    Matching panel

    Once the family finding process is complete the match will need to be agreed formally by the adoption panel for the child’s agency. If approval is recommended by the adoption panel for the match, the child’s adoption agency decision maker then makes the final decision.

  • Finding the right child for you

    Finding the right child for you

    Once you become an approved adopter, it’s time to start looking for the right child or children that will join your family.

  • Adoption panel

    Adoption panel

    Adoption panels are set up in line with statutory requirements to ensure safe and effective care for children who have a plan for adoption.

  • Home visits

    Home visits

    Stage two of the adoption process begins when you return your 'Wish to Proceed' form to ARC Adoption.

  • Checks and references

    Checks and references

    Stage one of the adoption process begins after you have received some general information, an initial visit at your home and ARC Adoption North East are in receipt of your ‘registration of interest’ from you.

Most read

  • How adoption works

    How adoption works

    Adoption is a way of providing new families for children who cannot be looked after by their birth parents and need to belong to a new family.

  • How long does the UK adoption process take?

  • Matching panel

    Matching panel

    Once the family finding process is complete the match will need to be agreed formally by the adoption panel for the child’s agency. If approval is recommended by the adoption panel for the match, the child’s adoption agency decision maker then makes the final decision.

  • Fostering for adoption

    Fostering for adoption

    At ARC Adoption North East are committed to exploring different routes to adoption. ARC Adoption offers an early permanence route, often referred to as fostering for adoption or foster to adopt. Fostering for adoption means that young children, usually babies, are placed at a young age with approved potential adopters who would also be approved temporary foster carers whilst the family court decides on the child’s future.

  • Initial visit

    Initial visit

    Following your initial enquiry, if you would like to progress with the adoption process a member of ARC Adoption North East’s team will visit you in your home. The initial visit will be very informal and take place at a date and time that is convenient for you and will last about two hours. It’s an opportunity to have your questions answered in more detail and help the team get to know you better.

  • Checks and references

    Checks and references

    Stage one of the adoption process begins after you have received some general information, an initial visit at your home and ARC Adoption North East are in receipt of your ‘registration of interest’ from you.

  • Finding the right child for you

    Finding the right child for you

    Once you become an approved adopter, it’s time to start looking for the right child or children that will join your family.

  • Contact us

    Contact us

    At ARC Adoption North East we value your opinion. All compliments, comments and complaints are accepted and considered with the greatest respect. Your feedback is welcomed to help develop ARC Adoption North East’s services.

  • LGBT+ Adopters

    LGBT+ Adopters

    ARC Adoption is proud to support and guide LGBT+ adopters through the adoption process to parenthood.

  • Intercountry adoption

    Intercountry adoption

    ARC Adoption North East is registered with Ofsted to provide inter-country adoption services

Sign up for our newsletter

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Connect with us

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Sitemap
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Login
  • Logout
  • Manager

ARC Adoption North East's office hours:

Monday to Thursday 09:00 until 17:00, and Friday 09:00 until 16:30.

You can also contact us anytime at [email protected]