Once you have applied for adoption of any sort, the process of adoption initializes with the Adoption Home Study.

It is imperative to pass this stage for the adoptive parents in order to adopt a child successfully.

The crux of this procedure is to know the lives of the adoptive parents in & out so as to lead a give a healthy & happy family to the child in future.

Here are some key features of home study for adoption:

1. The technical definition of a home study says – an assessment of the skills & talents of the prospective adoptive parents.

2. Though the search of an adoptive child is allowed to start well before the home study is done, the adoption would not be approved unless & until the adoption home study is complete.

3. Usually, the prospective adoptive parents claim the home study to be quite stressful.

4. In this process, their life is put under the microscope, with everything turning upside down and inside out.

5. Investigations are made about the adoptive parents in all regards.

6. The individuals commonly feel that their home is invaded and their life is sheerly disturbed.

7. However, they must realize that this is an indispensable part of the adoption process and so they must co-operate with the team as a family.

8. In this process the parents are also educated about the adoption.

9. This study is conducted by the licensed adoption practitioners or social workers.

10. It’s their job to make the prospective adoptive parents aware of all the areas of adoption and prepare them for the challenges that arise during bringing up an adoptive child.

11. The adoption practitioner visits the house of the adoptive parents and carries out several interviews.

12. Varying as per the nature of their visit, the interview lasts anywhere between one hour and three hours.

13. The questions put forth in the interview depend up on the adoption type the family has picked out.

14. For instance, the questions asked to a couple adopting through public system, would be different from those who chose foreign adoption.

15. Also, depending up on the method of adoption one has chosen, the cost of adoption home study may vary.

16. In cases of public adoption, normally there is no fee required.

17. However, an average cost of one adoption home study turns out to be $ 1000 – $ 1400.

18. The necessary requirements of the home studies for adoption must be completed by the adoptive parents. These are:

a. Providing an autobiographical statement, that can be done verbally or in written.
b. Going through the medical examination.
c. Providing a medical report made by their doctor.
d. Must have a clear record in terms of the criminal history.
e. The couple is screened for any criminal activities in their past. It is a must to have a clean chit form the Police in this regard.
f. Adoptive parents have to provide atleast 4 letters of reference.

19. Though all the process may seem quite evasive initially, the prospective adoptive couple must remember that the process of adoption home study is designed to help them in the adoption.

20. Adoption practitioner is made available in order to help these individuals go through the adoption process smoothly.

21. Although her / his presence at their homes may seem intimidating, this is imperative for the potential parents to realize that he / she is there just to help them prepare for the adoptive child.

Tags: Adoption, adoption features, adoption study, adoption tips, open