Accreditation

In the context of adoption, accreditation means the formal evaluation by the Adoption Authority of Ireland of certain bodies or people, specifically bodies or people who are involved in making arrangements for the adoption of a child or the provision of services such as tracing, counselling or mediation for those who are adopted or their relatives.

The legislation governing the accreditation process is Statutory Instrument No. 524 of 2010 Adoption Act 2010 (Accredited Bodies) Regulations 2010

Who must be accredited

Any body or person who is involved in any of the activities listed below must be accredited by the Adoption Authority of Ireland in order to continue these activities in line with the law. 

Activities include:

  • Making any agreement or arrangement for, or facilitating, the adoption or maintenance of the child by any person
  • Initiating or taking part in any negotiations the purpose or effect of which is the making of any such agreement or arrangement
  • Causing another person to initiate or take part in any such negotiations
  • Offering to enter into negotiations on behalf of the child’s parents or prospective adopters for the purpose of arranging an adoption
  • Carrying out or making any arrangement for the carrying out of an assessment of eligibility and suitability
  • Preparing reports on assessments of eligibility and suitability
  • Providing information, advice and counselling concerning adoption to any prospective adopters
  • Providing information, advice and counselling concerning adoption to a mother or guardian who proposes to place a child for adoption
  • Providing information and advice concerning the child’s medical or other status in connection with adoption
  • Placing a child with any prospective adopters

You also need to be accredited if you are:

  • Assisting adopted people (18 years of age or over) to trace their birth parents or other relatives, and birth parents or other relatives (18 years of age or over) of adopted people to trace the adopted people;
  • Counselling the people described above; or
  • Mediating between adopted people and birth parents or other relatives as described above.

Value of accreditation

Accreditation signifies that an organisation or programme is effectively managing its resources and providing the best possible services to all of its stakeholders.

    Service users

    • Services meet best practice standards
    • Services are delivered by appropriately trained staff
    • Clients participate in the decision-making process of service delivery
    • Services are provided in a safe and respectful environment
    • Privacy is protected
    • Services support positive outcomes
    • Services are culturally competent

    Staff

    • Health and safety are protected
    • Risk and liability are minimised
    • Service environments are efficient, effective and supported by a quality improvement-oriented culture
    • Professional staff qualifications are defined
    • A whistle-blower policy is in place
    • A performance evaluation system is in place

    Board

    • Sound financial management practices are in place
    • Practices are ethical
    • Strategic plan is current, relevant, and monitored
    • Effective performance quality improvement and risk management systems in place
    • Policies and procedures address conflict of interests, preferential treatment, accountability, and delegation of authority

    Our accredited partners

    How is accreditation obtained

    To obtain the status of accredited body, a body or person must make an application to the Adoption Authority of Ireland. They must meet criteria set down in legislation, including providing information to the Adoption Authority regarding their finances, governance etc. 

    For more detailed information you can write to:

    Adoption Authority of Ireland
    Corporate Services and Accreditation Unit
    Shelbourne House
    Shelbourne Road
    Ballsbridge
    Dublin 4 
    D04 H6F6