MERTON COUNCIL
A guide to adoption
for children aged six
and under
www.merton.gov.uk/adoption
Ben lives with foster carers. His
mummy and daddy couldn’t look
after him and keep him safe.
Sometimes he used to be hungry
and scared.
This booklet will
help you understand
what adoption is.
2
Ben likes living with his foster
carers and their children.
3
Ben has a social worker called
Shameem. Shameem visits Ben
and talks to him.
Shameem is looking for a new
family for Ben to adopt him. She
tells Ben that his new family may
be a mummy and daddy, or just one
parent. Families come in all shapes
and sizes.
Shameem explains to Ben that she
is looking for just the right family for
him, however long this takes.
4
5
One day Shameem visits Ben and
has exciting news. A new family
who want to adopt Ben has been
found. She shows Ben a special
book which the new family have
made for him. There are lots of
photos and Ben finds out that they
have a dog called Robbie and a cat
called Max.
Ben soon meets his new family
and gets to know them over two
weeks. He visits their house and
sees his new bedroom. He is very
excited but also a little worried and
frightened.
Shameem talks to him, and his
foster carers give him lots of
cuddles, support and
encouragement. Ben writes
down the things that he wants
his new family to know about him.
I don’t like mushrooms
or broccoli
I like pasta and pizza
My favourite colour is green
I am scared of the dark
I like climbing trees
and riding my bike.
6
7
Ben’s new family wants to adopt
him. Shameem explains that
adoption is belonging to your new
family legally and forever.
To be adopted Ben will have to
go to Court with his new family
and see a Judge, who will make
an Adoption Order. This is an
important day to remember
and celebrate.
Sometimes children keep in touch
with their birth parent, or brothers
and sisters, either by receiving and
writing letters, or by meeting up
from time to time.
Shameem explains to Ben that
it’s OK to still care about his birth
family.
8
9
If you are ever worried or confused
about anything to do with your
adoption, including any type of
contact with your birth family, we
have adoption support workers
who can help you.
Firstly, talk to you parents about
what you want to happen, and
then both you and your parents
can come and see us, and we can
suggest good ways to help.
10
It can be tricky telling an adult that
you are unhappy, but there are lots
of people who will listen to you and
help sort things out.
You can call the Merton Complaints
Officer on 020 8545 3060
If you want someone to listen and
stand up for you, you could speak
to Reconstruct on 0800 389 1571
or Child Line on 0800 1111.
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You can also contact Ofsted.They
spend a lot of time listening to what
children and young people have to
say about the way they are looked
after. Their contact details are:
If you would like any other
information about adoption or this
information in large print, Braille,
audio tape or another language
please contact us.
The Children’s Right’s Director,
Ofsted, Aviation House
125 Kingsway, London
WC2B 6SE
The Adoption and
Permanence Team
The London Borough of Merton
Civic Centre
London Road, Morden
Surrey SM4 5DX
Freephone: 0800 528 0731
Web: www.rights4me.org.uk
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Telephone: 020 8545 4688
Web: [email protected]
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Adoption and Permanence Team
The London Borough of Merton
Civic Centre
London Road
Morden SM4 5DX
Telephone: 020 8545 4688