Social Work in the Adoption Authority
Social workers in the Adoption Authority understand that adoption is a life-long process that can generate a mix of emotions and needs for parties involved.
It is the responsibility of the social work service in the Adoption Authority to provide a statutory tracing service for our clients. Further to this work, social workers also provide mediation, brief intervention and complete review of all current proposed adoptions.
TRACING SERVICE
Tracing Service
Under BITA The AAI Social Work team has responsibility for providing a tracing service for anyone adopted through the following agencies and all Intercountry Adoption traces:
- Cúnamh
- Here to Help
- Bethany House
- Denny House
- Fairfield Children’s Home
- PACT (Protestant Adoption Society)
- Therese Adoption Society
- The Magdalen Home
- The Nursery Rescue Society
- Private adoptions from 1952-1991
- Private placements
- Family adoptions
- Adoption files for all adoptions 1952 to date
Please note that TUSLA- the Child and Family Agency have responsibility relating to other agencies. A full list of can be found here.
When you are assigned a social worker they will make contact with you and arrange an appointment. The social worker will work with you to ascertain your needs and a plan will be developed to meet these needs in as far as possible.
We highly recommend that you join the National Adoption Contact Preference Register as a first step in seeking information and or contact with a birth relative. The Social Work Team provides a contact and support service for people who have been linked through the National Adoption Contact Preference Register.
The Information and Records section of this website will give you more practical information about how to begin your search for information, particularly if you are unsure of the adoption agency which arranged your adoption, or if you are unsure about whether you were formally adopted.
As with tracing in the domestic context, searching for birth family relatives in the international context may also be a sensitive and emotional process. Deciding to undertake a search can also be daunting, particularly if there are additional language or cultural barriers.
The AAI social work team is also available to assist intercountry adoptees who wish to undertake a search for birth family relatives. While this process may be more complex, the ICA social worker is available to offer advice and support during this time and may liaise with international authorities on your behalf during this process.
CURRENT ADOPTION PROCESSES
Current Adoption Processes
It is the responsibility of social work team alongside other colleagues in the Adoption Authority of Ireland to review every stage of the adoption process for domestic and inter-country adoptions.
Adoption Authority social workers, administrative staff and the Adoption Authority Medical Advisor work together to review and monitor each application for adoption. Reviews cover all aspects of adoption practice including:
- consent to adoption
- assessment for a Declaration of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt
- selection and matching process leading to the placement of a child with a specific family for adoption
- post placement reports
- applications for adoption orders
- any other important matters that may arise on a case-by-case basis
It is the responsibility of social work team alongside other colleagues in the Adoption Authority of Ireland to review every stage of the adoption process for domestic and inter-country adoptions.
