Our adoption consultants develop a range of practice notes, briefings and other resources to support our members in their work. They also support the exchange of ideas and good practice at our regular practice forums.
Matching children from England with adopters approved in Scotland
Differences in regulations and guidance between England and Scotland mean that there are some additional things to think about when planning to move children across the national border.
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Practice Note
Our latest Practice Note offers guidance on key aspects of children moving cross-border from England to Scotland to be placed with adopters approved in Scotland, specifically addressing common queries received by AFKA Scotland and CoramBAAF’s Advice Line.
Download for freePanel chairs and advisers conference 2025
We are delighted to announce that CoramBAAF will be hosting our first panel chairs and advisers conference on 3 March 2025 in London at the QEII, Coram Campus, 41 Brunswick Square, WC1N 1AZ.
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Panels play a vital role in ensuring that every child finds the family, support and stability they need to thrive. This in-person event is an opportunity for panel chairs and advisers to meet, learn and reflect on the core aspects of their work across adoption, fostering and kinship care.
Register your interestPublic Law Working Group report
Chapter summaries and analyses
CoramBAAF welcomes the publication of the Public Law Working Group adoption sub-group report. It contains a wealth of recommendations aimed at supporting the continued modernisation and adaptation of the adoption process.
Read moreAgency Decision Maker resources
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Download and watch
CoramBAAF have been commissioned by Adoption England to produce a series of training resources to support Agency Decision Makers in their decision-making and processes. Written and produced by CoramBAAF, these resources include written materials and several films featuring detailed case law examples.
Find out moreCoramBAAF Conversations
Our podcast series is dedicated to exploring topics related to adoption, fostering and kinship care. We invite children's social care professionals and experts by experience to join us to share best practices, their experiences and knowledge.
Episode 37 | My adoption journey with Al Coates
In celebration of National Adoption Week, Jane Poore is joined by Al Coates. They talk about a range of elements that were part of Al’s journey as a parent, adopter, foster carer, and social worker.
Episode 38 | The AFDiT Framework
The AFDiT framework is an initiative by Adoption England, in collaboration with the University of Sussex and The British Academy. It aims to improve positive identity outcomes for children in transracial adoption.
Latest adoption titles
All Books
Adoption now
*NEW EDITION* This handy guide presents the law, regulations, standards and guidance relating to adoption today, covering all stages of the process and related information – in easily digested bite-sized chunks.
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Exploring and assessing motivations to adopt
This guide will help social workers assess motivation to adopt, a key part of future adoption success. Information about fertility treatments, unconscious bias when assessing LGBTQ+ and single applicants, how to explore a wish to adopt for religious or environmental reasons, and discussion around the importance of expectations of family life, provide vital practice advice.
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Family network meetings in adoption
This guide will be invaluable for all social workers and social work managers wishing to explore the benefits of family network meetings and update their practice.
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Assessing children and families for adoption support in England
This practice guide aims to enhance the quality of post-order adoption support assessments, and thereby improve outcomes and well-being for adopted children and families. It will help social work practitioners to carry out assessments that are informed by the best available evidence and practice wisdom.
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Assessing adopters
Children whose plan is adoption are some of the most vulnerable in our society and we must ensure that their need for a stable family life with unconditional support and love is at the centre of all decisions we make about the approval and support process.
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Read the literature review
This national and international literature review looks at key components in the preparation and assessment of adopters that have an evidence base when it comes to the placement, stability, security and development of children placed for adoption. The relationship between assessor and prospective adopter is central to all assessment. It was carried out as part of work commissioned by Adoption England.
Read moreImplications of the Cumbria Child Safeguarding Practice Review
Following the murder of Leiland-James Corkill by his prospective adopter, the Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership undertook a Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR). The report of the review, published in 2022, made several recommendations, including how information is shared, when medical assessments of potential adopters should be updated, how to include the voice of the child in assessments and the use of personal referees.
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Briefing note and resources
A multi-agency working group, which included CoramBAAF, was established by the Regional Adoption Agencies leaders to look at the recommendations that the CSPR made. The group has now concluded its review of the CSPR and the National Safeguarding Review Panel has accepted its conclusions. You can read the working group’s briefing note by clicking the link below.
See moreWatch our recordings
Diversity and adoption
On behalf of RAA leaders, we are delivering a series of webinars in relation to diversity and adoption. These short webinars explore promising practice in adoption work in relation to issues of diversity. Please note that the webinars include discussions of topics and experiences that may be triggering or upsetting.
Watch the series
Early permanence: the legal framework
Early permanence is a child-centred approach that provides crucial early-stage stability while a court decides the final care plan for a child. The aim of early permanence is to prevent multiple moves of a child during the care planning process and thereby reduce the associated trauma of separation from and loss of attachment figures.
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Safeguarding in the online world
Our Adoption Consultant, Jane Poore, and, Dr. Vicki Walker, discussed the complexities of safeguarding in the digital world and this means for social work practitioners in the children and families sector.
Watch the recordingInfluence change
Our multidisciplinary groups and provide a platform to our members so we can advocate on their behalf to Government, and ensure that their voices are heard in the development of legislation, policy and practice.
Practice Forums
Share professional practice, knowledge and expertise in adoption with colleagues in your region.
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Agency Decision Maker Group
This new group is a dedicated informal space for Agency Decision Makers to discuss, share and reflect on cases, practice and procedures with peers.
Find out moreAdvice
Placing a child abroad?
The Outbound Permanence Service provides specialist information & advice on the legal, assessment and support options available in the overseas country.
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