A homestudy is an assessment process between you and a qualified adoption practitioner, who is usually a social worker. The homestudy helps decide:

• whether you are ready to be an adoptive parent, and
• what kind of child you are best suited to adopt.

Together with the adoption practitioner, you will discuss your home and community and your thoughts on parenting. You will also talk about many other aspects of being the parent of an adopted child.

A homestudy can take several months to complete.

Who conducts the homestudy?

That depends on the kind of adoption you are planning.

• Children's aid society adoptions

  If you are thinking of adopting a child through a children's aid society, the homestudy will be carried out by an employee of the children's aid society. This person is usually a social worker with experience in adoption.

  You don't have to pay for a homestudy that is done through a children's aid society.

• Private and international adoptions

  For all other kinds of adoptions, the homestudy has to be done by an adoption practitioner. This person has to be approved by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. You will have to pay for the cost of the homestudy.

What kind of information is contained in a homestudy?

The homestudy usually contains the following information:

• your personal and family background
• significant people in your life
• marriage and family relationships
• why you want to adopt a child
• your expectations for the child
• your parenting skills
• how you plan to integrate the child into the family
• family environment, and
• your physical and health history.
• your education, employment and finances
• references and criminal background clearances
• summary and social worker's recommendation.

What happens when the homestudy is completed?

Based on the homestudy, the adoption practitioner will either agree that you are ready to adopt or not. If you are approved to adopt, the adoption worker will write a report that includes a recommendation about the kind of child you should adopt.

It's important to remember that adoption is about finding the most suitable family for a child. If you are approved to adopt, finding a suitable match can take time. There is no guarantee that a child will be placed with you.