Adoption plans

Adoption Plans

All Adoption Orders granted under the Adoption Act 1994 will have a provision for an Adoption Plan.

An Adoption Plan is an agreement that is made for an adoptee between parents and adoptive parents relating to the exchanges of information and contact between parties to the adoption. The Adoption Services caseworker negotiates the terms of an Adoption Plan between the parties prior to the placement of the child with the prospective adoptive parents. An Adoption Plan forms part of the Adoption Order at the time it is granted and operates until the adoptee becomes an adult.

In some cases, Post Adoption Services implement Adoption Plans by arranging for the exchange of messages through the Department of Communities (Communities). This may include holding messages for parties until such time as another party is ready to receive them, outreaching to parties, assisting to arrange meetings and mediating contact and exchanges. In other cases, parties may implement their Plans with direct exchanges and contact. Parties who are directly implementing their Plans, may periodically require assistance from Post Adoption Services, such as when mediation is required or contact temporarily ceases. Parties to an Adoption Plan may contact Post Adoption Services for services as the need may arise.

Adoption Plans operate for the adopted child until the age of 18 years, enabling connections between family of birth and adoptee with support of the adoptive family. Over the course of an Adoption Plan, changes can occur in the lives of all parties to the adoption. Where possible, flexibility is incorporated in Plans to allow for future changes such as including subsequent children (who may be born to the parents by birth) in contacts. Often parties informally build upon the Plan by cooperative agreement as circumstances change and relationships develop.

A party to the adoption may apply to the Family Court for a formal variation to an Adoption Plan. The Court may order variations if satisfied changes have occurred since the Plan was made and the changes are considered to adequately balance the rights and responsibilities of the parties. A variation may also add a party to the adoption who was not previously included in the Adoption Plan.

Before a party may make an application to Court for a change, the parties are required to participate in a mediation process conducted by Post Adoption Services.

Post Adoptions Services is contactable on 1800 182 178 or at adoptions@communities.wa.gov.au for assistance to mediate between parties in the implementation of existing Adoption Plans.