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Adoption

Agency Adoption

There are two types of Agency Adoptions

1. Section 68 Agreement (Voluntary Placement of Child for Adoption)

A birth mother may choose to place her child with a child placing Agency or District Office of the Department of Community Services for the purpose of adoption. The birth father may also be involved in this decision. The child is placed with a family, in most cases, chosen by the birth parent from the Agency-approved adoptive families waiting for a child.

In some cases, the birth mother has chosen a family she would like to adopt her child. A home study must be completed as one of the requirements before the family she has chosen may adopt her child. The prospective adoptive parents must apply to the local Agency or District Office to arrange to have a home study completed by an approved private practitioner for the Agency's approval. Learn more about the adoption process when adoptive families become aware of a birth parent who wishes to place their child with them. Learn more about the adoption process when a birth parent chooses a family from an Agency’s approved list of waiting adoptive parents.

2. Children in Care and Custody
When it is determined through the court system that a birth family is unable to meet the needs of a child on a permanent and ongoing basis, the child may be committed to the care and custody of an Agency. The Agency becomes the guardian and may place the child for adoption. The majority of these children would be described as a special needs child. Agencies seek approved adoptive families who would have the strengths and qualities required to meet the individual needs of these children. The Nova Scotia Adoption Exchange, operated by the Department of Community Services, assists in this process. All Agencies and District Offices provide a full range of child welfare services, including child protection. The Home of the Guardian Angel also provides placement services.

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