Understanding adoption

Open adoption

Adoption is a service to benefit the child rather than the adult hoping to adopt them. 

A key principle of current adoption procedures in NSW is open adoption.

Open adoption recognises the importance for a child to maintain relationships with their parents, extended families, their heritage and culture. This can strengthen the child's sense of who they are and where they fit in the world.

In open adoption, a child understands that they have two sets of parents and families. Relationships with the child’s parents and family are encouraged. 

This helps to provide a sense of belonging, safety and permanency to a child.

Adoptive parents are assessed and trained to make sure they understand and support open adoption.

Part of this includes adoptive parents contributing to and following an adoption plan that has been agreed to by the child’s family. The plan outlines the ways the child will be connected with their family members and their culture.

Throughout the open adoption process, a caseworker provides support to the child, family, carers or proposed adoptive parents.

The caseworker makes sure that everyone understands what open adoption means and that their views are heard. 

Learn more about open adoption at the Department of Communities and Justice.

Types of adoption

The types of adoption in NSW are:

• out-of-home care adoption of a child living in foster care
• local adoption of a child born or permanently living in NSW
• intercountry adoption of a child from overseas
• special needs adoption of a child with disability or special needs
• intrafamily adoption of a step-child or child within your family