Evidence for applicants who are in the process of adopting a child

If you are applying for special circumstances because you are adopting a child, the evidence required is detailed below.

Application process

If you wish to be considered for special circumstances, you must complete all of the following steps:

1. Ensure that you indicate that you wish to apply for special circumstances on your Oriel application form.
2. Complete the following registration form. Please note, the form will only be available during the published application window.

3. Download and complete the relevant special circumstances application form.
4. Print and scan your special circumstances application form, along with all of your supporting evidence as a single document and email it to [email protected].

Supporting evidence

You must provide all of the following:

A fully completed Criterion 3 - Adoption application form

This can be downloaded from this page.

Proof of your current address, dated within the last 3 months

Examples of acceptable evidence include:

• bank statement
• council tax bill
• credit card statement
• driving licence
• mobile phone bill
• mortgage statement
• utility bill
• HMRC letter

Electronic documents downloaded from online banks or online utility providers will be accepted.

A report written by the adoption agency or social services

The report must:

• be provided on headed paper.
• be current i.e. written for the purpose of this application and not dated more than 6 months ago.  Older evidence will not be accepted as there is no way of the panel confirming that the situation remains unchanged.
• include the name, title, qualification and signature of the person writing the report.
• include the following information:
  • confirmation that you are currently in the process of adopting a child.
  • confirmation that you need to remain in the current location for the duration of the adoption process.
  • the likely duration of the adoption process.

Joint application evidence

Applicants who are adpoting a child together, and applying in the same recruitment round, can submit a joint application with a single set of evidence. You must both be named in the supporting evidence.