Embarking on your adoption journey is a significant step towards building your family, and attending the Adoption Panel is one of the key milestones in this process. While this step may feel daunting, it is designed to ensure that the best outcomes are achieved — both for you as prospective adopters and for the child or children who may become part of your family.
This guide will walk you through what to expect before, during, and after your Adoption Panel meeting, offering reassurance and practical advice to help you feel prepared and supported throughout.
What is the Adoption Panel and Why Does it Matter?
The Adoption Panel is a vital stage in the adoption process. It provides an opportunity for the Panel Members to meet you in person, hear directly from you, and carefully consider your application.
The Panel’s role is to review your completed Prospective Adopter’s Report (PAR) and assess your suitability as adoptive parents. While this may sound formal, it is ultimately a supportive process designed to ensure that children are placed with families who can provide the love, stability, and security they need to thrive.
The Panel makes a recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker, who will then make the final decision regarding your suitability to adopt.
Who Sits on the Panel?
The Adoption Panel is made up of up to 10 members, who are carefully selected to bring a range of skills, knowledge, and perspectives. These members include:
- Independent individuals with personal or professional experience in adoption
- St David’s staff who understand the adoption process and child welfare
- Medical and legal advisers who provide professional guidance
- Adoptive parents or individuals with lived experience
Each member is committed to ensuring the best outcomes for children and will approach your application with care, respect, and fairness.
Do You Have to Attend the Panel?
Attendance at the Panel is your choice.
While you are not required to attend, many adopters find it beneficial to meet the Panel in person and share their journey firsthand. Being present allows you to provide additional context, answer any questions directly, and feel more involved in the decision-making process.
If you choose not to attend, no assumptions will be made about your commitment to adoption. Your Social Worker will ensure your voice is represented throughout the meeting.
Can I Bring Someone for Support?
If you are adopting as a single applicant, you may bring a friend or supporter with you to the Panel venue. However, whether your supporter is invited into the Panel Meeting itself is at the discretion of the Panel.
Before the Panel Meeting
If you choose to attend, you will receive a written invitation confirming the date, time, and venue of your Panel Meeting.
On the day of the meeting:
- Your Social Worker and a second Social Work colleague (who may have been involved in your assessment) will greet you when you arrive.
- Refreshments will be provided to help you feel comfortable.
- Your Social Worker will then leave you with their colleague while they present your application to the Panel.
At this point, there may be a short waiting period. Please know that this is completely normal — it does not mean there is a problem with your application. The Panel takes its responsibility seriously and dedicates time to ensuring all aspects of your application are carefully considered.
What Happens During the Panel Meeting?
Once the Panel has reviewed your application, they may have some questions for you. These will be shared with your Social Worker beforehand so you can prepare. Your Social Worker will help you think through your responses and ensure you feel confident.
When you’re ready, your Social Worker will accompany you into the Panel Meeting. The Panel Chair will welcome you, and each Panel Member will introduce themselves.
The Panel Chair or other Panel Members will ask you the agreed questions. These questions are not designed to catch you out or place you under pressure — they are typically clarifications to gain a better understanding of your journey, your strengths, and your motivations for adopting.
The Panel’s recommendation is not based solely on your responses during the meeting. Instead, they consider everything within your PAR, the discussions they’ve had with your Social Worker, and your overall suitability to provide a stable, loving home.
The Panel Chair will then ask if you have any questions of your own. While your Social Worker may have addressed most of your concerns, you are welcome to ask the Panel anything that remains unclear.
Once your questions are answered, you will leave the room with your Social Worker while the Panel makes its recommendation.
What Happens After the Panel Meeting?
Following your discussion with the Panel, your Social Worker will remain with you while you wait for the outcome. A colleague will stay with you to provide reassurance and answer any immediate concerns.
The Panel will then discuss and decide on one of three recommendations:
- To recommend approval as suitable adopters
- To defer the decision while additional information is gathered
- To recommend not to approve as suitable adopters (referred to as a ‘qualifying determination’)
Receiving the Outcome
Your Social Worker will contact you within 24 hours of the Panel meeting to share the Panel’s recommendation.
The Agency Decision Maker (CEO or Deputy Director) will then make the final decision. You will receive this decision in writing within 7 days of the Panel Meeting.
If you are approved, this marks a wonderful milestone on your journey towards becoming an adoptive parent.
If the Agency Decision Maker decides you are not suitable to adopt, you will receive written reasons for this decision. You will also be informed of your right to:
- Submit representations to the Agency directly
- Request an independent review via the Independent Review Panel
You have 40 days from the date of the written notification to take either of these steps if you wish to challenge the decision.
Emotional Support During This Process
We fully understand that attending the Adoption Panel can feel emotionally overwhelming. The process may bring feelings of anxiety, excitement, or uncertainty. Please know that these feelings are entirely normal, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Your Social Worker is your key point of contact — they will help you feel prepared, answer your questions, and provide reassurance throughout.
Additionally, St David’s offers various forms of support during this stage, including:
- Peer support networks with other adopters
- Access to adoption preparation resources
- Guidance on managing emotions and stress during this important stage
Final Thoughts
While the Adoption Panel is a significant step, it is also an opportunity to reflect on your journey so far and to celebrate how far you’ve come. The Panel exists to ensure children are placed with families who can meet their needs — and you’ve already shown your dedication by reaching this stage.
Please remember that you are not alone in this process. The team at St David’s Children Society is committed to walking alongside you every step of the way, offering guidance, encouragement, and support to help you achieve your goal of building a loving and secure family.
If you have any concerns, questions, or simply need reassurance, your Social Worker is always available to help.
We are incredibly grateful for your commitment to giving a child a brighter future — and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Author: Shaun Houcke
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