Adoption mediation is the basis for Adoptionscentrum's work.
The basic requirement is that mediation of inter-country adoptions shall take place in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as well as international and national legislation. The aim is securing the child's best interests in the process.
Adoptionscentrum guarantees a secure, effective and ethically correct adoption process, working in collaboration with the prospective adoptive parents and the organisations and authorities in the child's country of origin.
Who can adopt?
Adoptionscentrum provides adoption assistance to applicants approved by the Swedish authorities where the applicants live. It is the municipal authority that ultimately approves Swedish adoptive parents. This decision is based on a home study, conducted by professional municipal social workers. The home study deals with matters such as finances and general circumstances, health, the spouses' relationship, and also their expectations of the adoption.
Approval as an adoptive parent also requires the successful completion of a preparatory parental training course.
Adoptionscentrum's programme officers in Sweden regularly visit authorities and organisations throughout the world. There are also local employees/representatives in a number of the collaborating countries.
An important part of adoption mediation is to provide feedback on the adopted children's new life in Sweden. Thousands of reports are sent each year to the children's countries of origin on how they are faring in their new home country.