Many prospective adopters choose to produce a personal profile to send to agencies. The template and guidance below gives you a few helpful pointers in making your profile stand out. You can download the adopter profile template below in Word format and customise for your own use.
What to include in your personal profile
Your profile should be a minimum of 500 words. It should include:
- Your names/s
- Any specific qualities you can offer: for example, skills acquired in a work setting such as working with children with behavioural problems at school or that you lead an energetic outside life and would be well suited to a child with lots of energy who likes to be outdoors
- Strengths and experience: in particular any child care experiences with your own or other children including that within a professional/voluntary capacity, as well as experiences with family and friends
- Useful information in support of your matching considerations and why certain criteria can be considered
- Support networks: details of your support networks, for example, family, friends, community, support groups
- Training: any relevant training you have undertaken
- A photograph: choose a photo that you feel shows you as approachable, warm and friendly. Please provide a recent, clear/close up photograph and include any other children in your family
- Pets: please include details of any pets in your household
- Time off work: details of how much time you can take off work or whether you intend to stay at home permanently
- Home & Location: what type of home you live in, whether you live in a town or country or in a village. Mention any green spaces in your locality and how close you are to local schools, playgrounds and community facilities for children
- Age range & gender of children: the number and age of children you wish to consider and any preference with regards to age, gender and sibling groups
- Ethnicity & religious background of children: the ethnicity and religious background of children that could be considered
- If you are adopting as a couple, include how long you have known each other and how long you have been living together
- Your adoption agency’s details