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Adoption in Hampshire

Initial Enquiry

Finding out about Adoption

Naturally, you’ll want to do lots of research into adoption before you make a decision about whether to enquire about Adopting with Hampshire.

We are also very happy to answer your questions and offer you the benefit of our experience, so invite you to call us via Hantsdirect, Hampshire County Council’s contact centre. An experienced operator will put your call through to the Adoption Duty Worker if you ask. Call: 0845 603 56 20.

Making an enquiry

When you make an enquiry, we will ask for basic information about you and your family.

Information Session

Information Sessions tell you more about adopting with Hampshire and give you the opportunity to learn more about children who need adopting, as well as giving you the opportunity to hear the experiences of an adopter who has adopted a child with Hampshire. After this session, if you still wish to proceed, you will have an initial home visit.

Initial Home Visit

An initial home visit is an opportunity for you to have a discussion with an experienced adoption worker about adoption, the children who need adopting and why you would like to adopt a child. It is an opportunity for us to make an initial assessment about what you are able to offer a child, and make sure you are able to offer a stable, secure home environment to a child.

After this visit, an Adoption Manager will make a decision about whether to progress your enquiry and invite you to preparation training.

Advice and Guidance

It could be that as a result of the information you provide and the discussion you have with a duty worker and/or home visit, we do not feel you are ready to take the next steps towards adopting.

Our goal is to be as open and honest with you as possible, and want to help you have realistic expectations about adoption. If the decision is made not to progress your enquiry at any stage, this will always be discussed with you, and advice given about things you could do - such as volunteering with children - which could support a future adoption enquiry.