ASSESSMENT FOR ADOPTION - THE PARENTS PERSPECTIVE

The assessment process for prospective adopters can be a daunting one, and the criteria for assessment can vary at times according to agency policies, social research findings and changing social values. From t he prospective adopters perspective, these criteria can become a serie s of obstacles to achieving their goal of creating a family. Some of t hese criteria are considered here, with case examples, to demonstrate how at various stages, from a couple's first contact with an agency th rough to their presentation to Panel it can become difficult or imposs ible to proceed with an assessment.