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Once the adoption order is made you can choose whatever you feel is appropriate.I would think how appropriate this would be for a child is down to their age at placement and whether they already identify with a particular faith- which they may or may not share with you.We have a Christian, a Muslim, atheists and agnostics in our family. It makes for a lively and inclusive family life.Hope this helps.

You can't have the child christened or formally accepted into a religious faith/denomination until after the Adoption Order. Then it's up to you.My child and I were blessed in church on our first Mother's Day which seemed something of a halfway house. SWs had no objection to that.I would assume your own SW discussed your religious observance and how you would integrate a child into it with you. Children's SWs may also ask about it. I had one visiting SW who gave off a definite anti-belief vibe in her questions, others had no view or were positively supportive.Tbh I found it to be like the dog issue/non-issue - completely came down to the personal views of the child's SW. Though I do think they are duty bound to endeavour to take into account any requests around religious observance made by the BPs. Even that's within reason though - I was considered for one child whose mother was a Jehovah's Witness, which I am not, and they said they weren't prioritising finding a Jehovah's Witness family for her, as it seemed impractical!Hth. Good luck.

I know my children were placed with me very specifically because of our shared faith (obviously amongst other things). When I was visited by the SW and FF they were interested in how I would help the children learn about their faith on a daily basis. I know SS did consider a couple before me who were a different religion but didn't feel they would meet LOs' religious needs. I know it can vary but mine were 2 and 4 at placement and I do think it would have been unfair to change their religion on placement as that is a huge part of their identity. I'm sure you will find the right match, wee mee. I think that being part of a religios community brings lots of added support and love into children's lives and I'm sure many SWs will see that as a bonus.

I had my girls christened as soon as the adoption order was through. My social worker came it was the last time i saw her and she brought gifts for my girls. It was a magical day and we had a party afterwards much more special and poignant than our adoption celebration. Like Rainbow 7 said being brought up in a faith has enriched my childrens lives and they adore our church community, brownies sunday school etc.

I know of children matched based upon religion. My sons birth family religion is not known and this was not a matching criteria, however I have never felt very easy about changing his religion, I am about to do so (due to him showing a deep interest), but TBH it troubles me. I am doing this 21months after DS came home, and post adoption order. Religion/having a faith features quite highly on factors for resilience, this is one of the things I remind myself of when I am feeling a bit torn about DS. Perhaps I am torn due to his age, I don't know.

I think the birth parents can request that their children go to a family with the same religious background as themselves eg. if BM was muslim they would try and place child with a muslim family, but if there are no approved muslim adopters waiting, then what do they do - leave the child in care until some muslim adopters come along and turn down other approved adopters?Which is more important a loving caring forever family or a perfect religious match?

Our ad's bm specified the catholic religion but we are not catholic however this did not make a difference to the sw and she was placed with us. We had her christened into our faith once the AO had gone through.But ad has now decided she is pagan.