If you are planning adoption for your child, we can assist you through this difficult and personal decision. As the birth parent, you can have an active role in planning for your child, and will be able to:
- choose the adoptive family
- express religious or racial preferences
- name the child
- see, hold and care for the child while in the hospital
- learn non-identifying information about the adoptive family
- write a letter to and/or share a gift with the child
- receive information and details of the child's development and adjustment for the first few months of adoption
Adoptive parents go through an extensive interview process to qualify as potential adoptive parents at our agency. This means that you can be confident that the adoptive parents will raise your child in a loving, caring family.
F&CS wants to help you make the best plan for your child. Should adoption be your choice, you would sign an adoption consent form any time after the child is seven days old. You would be given an opportunity to seek independent counselling and legal advice before you sign the consent. Following the signing of the consent, birth parents have twenty-one days in which they can change their minds and withdraw their consent. Appearance in Court is not usually required.
Our role is to help, encourage and support you, and inform you of your legal rights, including:
- signing of consent for adoption
- the 21 day appeal period
- the adoption disclosure register
- help you turn the pain into a positive experience
- assist you in getting your life back on track
The Birth Father
The birth father, whenever possible, can be involved in planning for the baby. Our legal requirement is to also obtain his consent for adoption. If it is not possible, however, we can make an application to the court to dispense with his consent.
Abortion
If you decide that an abortion is the best choice for your situation, we will respect and support you every step of the way. To make the decision to have an abortion is a very personal and sensitive choice and comes with a large range of emotions that need to be dealt with in a healthy and sensitive manner.
We offer confidential service to you and your partner.
We counsel you around your feelings in making your decision.
You don't need to feel alone. We can refer you to appropriate medical services where they can continue to assist you.
We offer support to you and your partner as you make plans for your future.
