Social Work in the Adoption Authority
Social workers in the Adoption Authority understand that adoption is a life-long process that can generate a mix of emotions and needs for parties involved.
It is the responsibility of the social work service in the Adoption Authority to provide a statutory tracing service for our clients. Further to this work, social workers also provide mediation, brief intervention and complete review of all current proposed adoptions.
CURRENT ADOPTION PROCESSES
Current Adoption Processes
The first category of work of the social work team relates to current adoption processes. It is the responsibility of social work team alongside other colleagues in the Adoption Authority of Ireland to review every stage of the adoption process for domestic and inter-country adoptions.
Adoption Authority social workers, administrative staff and the Adoption Authority Medical Advisor work together to review and monitor each application for adoption. Reviews cover all aspects of adoption practice including:
- consultation with birth parents
- consent to adoption
- assessment for a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt
- selection and matching process leading to the placement of a child with a specific family for adoption
- post placement reports
- applications for adoption orders
- any other important matters that may arise on a case-by-case basis
It is the responsibility of social work team alongside other colleagues in the Adoption Authority of Ireland to review every stage of the adoption process for domestic and inter-country adoptions.
INFORMATION AND RECORDS
Information and Records Services
The Adoption Authority has responsibility for providing information and records services for the following agencies and processes:
- Cúnamh
- Here to Help
- Bethany House
- Denny House
- Fairfield Children’s Home
- PACT (Protestant Adoption Society)
- Therese Adoption Society
- The Magdalen Home
- The Nursery Rescue Society
- Private adoptions from 1952-1991
- Private placements
- Family adoptions
- Adoption files for all adoptions 1952 to date
Please note that TUSLA- the Child and Family Agency have responsibility relating to other agencies. A full list of can be found here.
When you are assigned a social worker they will make contact with you and arrange an appointment. The social worker will work with you to ascertain your needs and a plan will be developed to meet these needs in as far as possible.
We highly recommend that you join the National Adoption Contact Preference Register as a first step in seeking information and or contact with a birth relative. The Social Work Team provides a contact and support service for people who have been linked through the National Adoption Contact Preference Register.
The Information and Records section of this website will give you more practical information about how to begin your search for information, particularly if you are unsure of the adoption agency which arranged your adoption, or if you are unsure about whether you were formally adopted.
The second category of work of the social work team relates to past adoptions and involves the provision of information and records services to adopted persons and their relatives.
