Work with VAAs
Voluntary Adoption Agencies (VAAs) are experts in adoption. Together our members place around 1 in 5 children who are adopted across the UK, and the vast majority of older children and those with complex needs.
VAAs are incredibly diverse. Our members are based across the UK; in urban centres and rural areas. Some are very small and specialised; and some are much larger finding families for over 100 children per year.
However, regardless off their differences, there are many important things that you will find in any VAA.
A warm welcome
Our members know that you may be experiencing a huge range of emotions when you first contact them. As a result, they always offer a warm welcome, and are ready to answer any questions prospective adopters have about their own circumstances or the different parts of the approvals process.
A highly personalised and flexible service
Every person is different, and there is no such thing as a perfect parent. Our members want to get to know you for who you are, and will help you to create a family that is just right for you and your child(ren).
They will support you if you want to pause the approvals process, and they will always be open and realistic with you. They will make space for you to be yourself and ensure that your experience is positive, supported and honest.
An excellent standard of quality
Unlike Regional Adoption Agencies, VAAs are subject to independent inspection by Ofsted. Of CVAA’s members, almost all are rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ (or ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’ in Scotland).
VAAs are 100% committed to providing the very best service for children and families. They have pioneered some practices in adoption that have since become mainstream, and continue to innovate and modernise their services to meet the needs of today’s children.
Their expertise and experience is also unrivalled as VAA staff have very high job satisfaction levels and low turnover rates. Most of today’s leaders in the VAA sector have been working in adoption for decades.
Lifelong support
After adopting with a VAA, your agency will be there for you and your child(ren) for life. Our members know that adoption is a lifelong journey, and that the adoption order is just the start.
From annual picnics and Christmas parties to specialist therapies and support services, VAAs will be there when you need them. Learn more about the support our members can offer.
Specialist advice on early permanence
Many CVAA members specialise in what is known as ‘early permanence’. In an early permanence placement, prospective adopters provide foster care for a child while their case is being decided, in hopes of going on to adopt them. ‘Permanence’ is a state of emotional, social and legal security, and achieving permanence for children is one of the major goals for anyone working in children’s social care.
When children who go on to be adopted live with a foster family while their case is being decided, it means that inevitably they will have to leave their foster carer(s) and move to their adoptive family’s home. For children who have already experienced the loss of their birth family and potentially other foster families, this new loss can be difficult, even traumatic. Early permanence placements avoid this by placing a child with the family who will go on to adopt them if the courts determine that adoption is in the child’s best interests.
Early permanence placements are often used for very young children and babies. In many cases, a new infant will be placed with early permanence carers directly from hospital. Early permanence carers provide love and security during the early, crucial days and weeks of development.
While most early permanence placements go on to convert to adoptive placements, it is important to remember that these are foster placements until the court makes a placement order. In most cases, this means that early permanence carers will get to know the child’s birth family during the court process, and will know the circumstances of the child’s birth and the reasons they came into care. If the child goes on to be adopted, this means their adoptive parents will have a better understanding of their background and will be able to share this information with them later on.
Early permanence is often described as a ‘child-centred’ solution to the problem of multiple moves. This means that the uncertainty sits with the adults, rather than with the child. There is always a chance that the courts will decide that a child can and should return home to their birth family; if this is the case, then you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you provided love and stability for a child at one of the most vulnerable times in their life.
If you decide to become an early permanence carer, your VAA will ensure:
- That you receive special preparation and training
- That you have a chance to meet other early permanence carers.
- That you are fully supported throughout the processes of fostering and adoption, and beyond.
- That you are able to access any allowances for which you are eligible.
- That any contact with the child’s birth family is expertly supported and carried out in a neutral space.