What is an Adoption Home Study For?
In adoptions that are not "in family" adoptions such as step-parent or grandparent adoptions, South Carolina law requires that an adoption home study be completed. Two, in fact: a pre-placement home study and a post-placement study. But why?The pre-placement study is a a report that documents your home life. It is pretty intensive and digs into all areas of your family life: criminal background checks, child abuse registry searches, family finances, health, references, birth certificates. For example, this is not just looking to make sure you are married. It wants to know how your marriage is. Are there issues in your family that need dealing with? Does your extended family support your choice to adopt? What is your motivation to adopt?The ultimate goal is to make sure your family is ready for an adoptive placement and that it will be a healthy place for this child joining your family.The post placement study is a visit in your home with your family and the child to check on how things are going. There may be one post placement visit or multiples depending on the agency requirements.