Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ's

People believing that children belong in families and are willing to accept and commit to a child unconditionally.
Married couples, single applicants, step-parents, family members and foster parents over the age of 18 with South African citizenship.
Children need stable parents who are able to address their emotional, physical and financial needs. This means physical and emotional healthy parents with a good life expectancy.
Parents having realistic adoption preferences in line with the profile of children in the system.

The purpose of adoption is to find a family for a vulnerable child in need of permanency – not finding children for parents.
A legal assessment has to be completed by a social worker to ensure there are no options in the biological family.
Referrals of children in need are a reflection of the South African reality and are therefor predominately black South African children.
Children ready for matching is mostly between 6 and 18 months old with a few older children under the age of 6.
Health status vary from healthy to minor and severe special needs.

You can discuss your preferences and wishes and we will give you realistic feedback and insight and after orientation you can make an informed decision.
The next step is a psychosocial assessment which can take up to 6 months – this also entail medical assessments and checking that you have not been convicted from any sexual related assault.
A compulsory preparation workshop will equip you with knowledge, insight and parental guidance.
You are now ready to go on the waiting list – ready to be matched should there be child who’s best interest will be served in your unique family. Your child will be legally available and also have a full medical record.
The special and long awaited phone call…..receiving a child proposal with legal and medical record as well as photos. You can now make an informed decision with the support of your social worker.
Placement will be arranged once all legal requirements have been met – your baby might be between 6 and 9 months at this stage.
Legal finalization and registration – now it is your child as if born from you!

The charge of a reasonable fee is mandated by the Act and in absence of full subsidy from government. A specialist adoption social worker will spend many hours on therapeutic sessions, court attendance, and administration and after care which is calculated in a basic professional fee.
An income based sliding scale is applied to national adoption applicants, depending on subsidy received in the province and region. This will be discussed in your orientation session.
We want to assure you that we will take your financial position into consideration and not deny a child a family due to your ability to make a contribution towards the service.