Home Study
What is a home study?
The home study report, a legal requirement for every adoption, is a comprehensive assessment of your family’s suitability to become adoptive parent(s). Its primary purpose is to not only investigate suitability issues but also to help prospective adoptive parents understand the unique challenges of adoption and prepare them for the responsibilities of raising an adopted child.
A social worker will meet with prospective adoptive parents to conduct and prepare the home study by gathering information about each parent’s background; relationships with spouse/partner, family, and friends; education and career history; finances; home and neighborhood; health; attitudes toward discipline and other parenting issues; and the type of adoption that best suits your family. After gathering the required documentation, the social worker will interview all household members and assess the family’s suitability for adoption. Each adoptive parent and any other adult household members must obtain criminal and child abuse background clearances.
Despite the comprehensive nature of the adoption home study, it is important to note that it is a confidential process. The report is only shared with the legal adoption authorities and is not disclosed to birthparents, ensuring your privacy.
Why is a home study necessary?
The home study process, regardless of the type of adoption you are pursuing, serves three key purposes: to educate and prepare the prospective adoptive family, to evaluate their suitability, and to gather information to determine the type of child that would be appropriate for the adoptive family.
- To educate and prepare a prospective adoptive family for adoption. This education and preparation will be tailored to your family’s needs based on the type of adoption you are hoping to complete and the type of child you wish to be approved to adopt. The home study will also cover your placement agency's and country's requirements.
- To evaluate the suitability of the prospective adoptive family. This is a time for the family and the social worker together to assess the readiness and appropriateness of a family to adopt.
- Finally, to determine what type of child would be an appropriate family. The home study approval will specify the gender, age, race/ethnicity, and potential special need parameters that are identified as appropriate for the family based on their experience, abilities, and resources. The social worker will look for a good match between a child’s needs and a family’s ability to meet those needs.
Once the home study is completed and approved, a family can prepare a profile for presentation to birth parents (domestic) or prepare a dossier for presentation to an international adoption entity.
Where does Gladney offer home study services?
As of 2024, Gladney home studies service hopeful adoptive parents in Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Texas. If you live in one of these listed states and are ready to start your home study, fill out our home study form below.
If you do not live in a Gladney-licensed state, you will need to choose a home study provider who meets Gladney’s criteria. Check with your adoption specialist to ensure your home study will be eligible for the adoption process.
