Adoption

If you are a prospective adopter who has recently received a letter from your adoption agency which gives you a qualifying determination (see definition below) you have three options:

1. You may accept the proposal
2. You can make written representations to your adoption agency or
3. You can apply in writing to the IRM Cymru for a review of the adoption agency’s qualifying determination

However, you can not do both 2 and 3.

What the IRM Cymru can do for you

The IRM Cymru is a review process conducted by a Review Panel which is independent of adoption agencies.

If you choose to use the IRM Cymru the review panel will:

• review your suitability as a prospective adopter(s)
• make a fresh recommendation to your agency on your suitability to adopt a child

Things the IRM Cymru doesn’t do

• It does not make a final decision about your case.  This is made by your adoption agency having considered the recommendation from the IRM panel.
• It does not consider whether adoption should be the plan for a child.
• It does not consider whether a child should be placed with a particular prospective adopter.
• It does not handle complaints against the adoption agency.

How the Review Panel works

The Review Panel considers the following information to make its recommendation:

• all information presented to the original adoption panel
• your reasons for requesting a review
• any additional information considered by you

If the Review Panel needs further information, this will be requested from you or your adoption agency before the panel meeting.

You will be invited to attend the meeting.  The Review Panel will have questions for you and the adoption agency.  The panel will also obtain legal and medical advice, if required.

Results and outcomes

The Review Panel makes its recommendation and will provide a copy of the panel minutes to you and the agency.

The adoption agency must take this recommendation into account as well as the recommendation of the original adoption panel when making its final decision on your suitability to adopt a child.

Glossary

A “qualifying determination” is a determination made by the adoption agency that it:

• proposes not to approve you as suitable to adopt;
• is no longer satisfied that you continue to be suitable to adopt;
• considers a prospective adopter is not suitable to adopt a child, and does not propose to approve him/her as suitable to adopt a child.