An adoption home study is necessary for any adoption within the United States.
Whether a person or couple is adopting from within the United States or adopting from overseas, an adoption home study conducted by a social worker is required to formalize the placement. For many prospective parents, the thought of not being "accepted" is scary, but knowing and understanding the home study process can take away much of the anxiety.
Interviews
Interviews are a good way for a social worker to get to know a family.
Interviews are one of the most informative methods a social worker will use to get to know a family. Each individual parent will be interviewed, as well as any children currently in the family, so that the social worker can get a feel for how each member handles stress, discipline and communication. The social worker may interview family members multiple times.
Often, interviews are conducted during the home visit, but may also occur at an office or in a neutral setting. The family should keep in mind that the social worker is working for them. If the relationship feels uncomfortable, the family can choose a different social worker.
Home Visit
A home visit will help the social worker determine if a home is safe for an adopted child.
As part of the home study process, a social worker will inspect the home where an adopted child will be living to determine if it meets state licensing standards. For example, smoke alarms must be in place, the child must have adequate living space, and the home and yard must be free of potential safety hazards.
It is important for adoptive parents to remember that the social worker is not looking for a "perfect" home. She expects to see some clutter, which is normal for anyone with or without children.
Health Verifications
A health verification or statement provided by a doctor is often part of an adoption home study.
Most states require health verifications or statements from a physician to verify parents are healthy and are physically and mentally able to care for a child. If there is a serious health issue, the social worker may request more information from a physician.
Although it is possible for potential parents to be declined by the court because of serious health or mental issues, each case is evaluated on an individual basis. If, for example, a condition exists but the parent has obtained help, the court may see this as a positive, rather than a negative.
Financial Information
Adoption agencies are required to obtain financial information as part of the home study process.
Adoption laws do not require adoptive parents to be rich; they just need to be able to show that they have adequate income and can manage it. Most agencies provide a simple form to declare income, and will need copies of paycheck stubs, income tax forms and/or other forms to verify finances. A monthly budget also will be required, in most cases.
Background Checks and References
Criminal and child abuse background checks are part of the home study process.
Adoptive parents must obtain fingerprinting and criminal and child abuse background checks, often at local, state and federal levels, as part of the home study process. If there is a history of any criminal activity, it is important to be honest with the social worker about what happened and what changes have been made to keep the same thing from happening again. Having a criminal record frequently does not preclude an adoption; rather, it often provides an opportunity for a prospective parent to explain a life lesson they may have learned.
References will also be needed. Most states require at least three outside sources who know the family, some of which cannot be relatives, to verify they believe the person or couple will make good adoptive parents.
Autobiography
An autobiographical statement tells the social worker much about parents, and also allows the parents to think about their own motivations.
Social workers often ask each prospective parent to write an autobiographical statement. This is important for two reasons: It will help the social worker prepare the adoption report, and it will help the adoptive parents take a deep look at themselves and the reasons they would like to adopt a child.
Some agencies provide a form to help guide the autobiographical process, while others leave the statement at the discretion of the parent. Most autobiographical statements are two to three pages long and include a brief life history of the applicant.
Other children in the home may also be asked to write a statement or letter to tell their feelings about the adoption and to discuss their expectations.
The Report
The home study report will be sent to a judge, along with the recommendation of the social worker.
Once all the information from the home study is compiled, the social worker will assemble a report. All of the information discussed and/or documented will appear in the report, followed by a recommendation to the court.
The final decision regarding the adoption will not be under the discretion of the social worker, but will be decided by a judge.
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