Do you love children and want to help them live happy and healthy lives? Working at an adoption agency might be perfect for you.
In an adoption agency, you help match children who are available to be adopted with prospective families.
There are several different roles in adoption agencies, so you can choose the one that best suits your skills and background.
Working in an Adoption Agency
Adoption agency work can be fulfilling and inspiring. Read on to learn more details about how to get into this exciting line of work.
Key Roles
The types of employees at an adoption agency depend largely on its size and location. These are some of the main roles and their functions.
Adoption Agent
An adoption agent, also called an adoption specialist, is typically the lowest-ranking adoption agency worker who deals with adoptions.
In this role, you'll typically do any of the following:
- intake interviews for prospective adoptive families, either on the phone or in person
- administrative-assistant duties for the adoption program
- compiling and sending out paperwork and information to prospective adoptive families
- reviewing paperwork and ensuring all required paperwork is complete in advance of the home study
- auditing client files
While adoption agents do have direct contact with prospective adoptive families, they typically can't give any advice or counseling.
Generally, the adoption agent's role is to assist adoption social workers or adoption counselors with administrative tasks.
Adoption Social Worker
Adoption social workers are primarily responsible for home studies that confirm a family's suitability for adoption.
Adoption social workers also work directly with prospective adoptive families and children who are available for adoption, and often:
- discuss a prospective family's preferences
- match prospective families with available children
- introduce children and prospective families
- evaluate a child's progress after placement with an adoptive family
- help finalize legal paperwork to formalize the adoption
When the adoption is finalized in court, the adoption social worker typically appears in court on behalf of the agency.
Adoption social workers typically have extensive involvement with both the children and the adoptive families.
Adoption Counselor
Not all adoption agencies have adoption counselors. In those that do, the adoption counselor is typically the highest-ranking employee.
The counselor provides therapy and counseling to both adoptive families and adopted children to help facilitate their transition.
Many adopted children have had traumatic childhoods and may have significant mental health problems the counselor can assist with.
An adoption counselor also might recommend or coordinate additional mental health services for the family or children.
Education and Skills
Anyone who works in an adoption agency should be empathetic and love children, but there are some skills specific to each role.
Adoption Agent
Many employers only require employees in this role to have a high school diploma or the equivalent.
However, some employers prefer if you have at least a bachelor's degree in social work or a similar discipline.
Adoption agents need to be highly organized and efficient people with strong clerical and communication skills.
Adoption Social Worker
Social workers need at least a bachelor's degree to be licensed in the state where they work. Some have a master's degree in social work.
Empathy and strong communication abilities are perhaps the most important skills an adoption social worker can have.
Adoption social workers also need to have a good working knowledge of the community resources available to help adoptive families.
Adoption Counselor
Adoption counselors are licensed counselors or therapists and have at least a master's degree in counseling or psychology.
Some adoption counselors have a background in social work, while others have worked solely as a counselor or therapist.
An adoption counselor needs the ability to provide one-on-one therapy, as well as facilitate group therapy sessions.
Work Environment
Some adoption agencies are private, while others are run by state or county governments. Resources in the agency may be lacking.
Most adoption agency jobs are full time, but some roles, such as adoption agents, may be part time depending on the size of the agency.
Adoption social workers and adoption counselors often travel a lot within the local region to visit adoptive families in their homes.
Adoption social workers in particular might work more than 40 hours per week or on weekends to accommodate the needs of adoptive families.
Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the overall employment of social workers will grow 7% between 2022 and 2032.
However, the growth rate for child and family social workers specifically is a bit lower than the growth rate for social workers generally.
For adoption workers in public agencies, growth rate is tied to state and local budgetary constraints and other political issues.
The growth rate for counselors, on the other hand, is slightly higher, at 9% between 2022 and 2032.
Step 1: Get Your High School Diploma or the Equivalent
At a minimum, you need at least a high school diploma to work at an adoption agency.
If you didn't graduate from high school, an equivalent diploma, such as a GED, is also acceptable.
Taking classes working with children or getting involved with community groups working with children is a great idea while in high school.
Step 2: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
While some roles may only require a high school diploma, most people who work in adoption agencies have at least a bachelor's degree.
Social work is the most common bachelor's degree, although you might also get a degree in a related field, such as psychology.
A degree in social work typically includes a fieldwork component, so you can get experience in the social services sector.
Step 3: Consider Earning a Graduate Degree
Many adoption social workers and all adoption counselors have at least a master's degree in social work or a related discipline.
With a master's degree, you open the door to greater involvement in the adoption agency and potentially higher rates of pay.
If you start working at an adoption agency after earning your bachelor's, you can often earn your master's online while working full time.
Step 4: Complete an Internship
Bachelor's and master's degree programs in social work or psychology typically include a fieldwork component.
Most people who want to work in adoption agencies do their fieldwork specifically in adoption to gain the experience they'll need.
You might also do an internship at a school or residential facility where children who are available for adoption live.
Step 5: Apply for State Licensure
If you're going to become either a social worker or a counselor, state licensure is required before you can practice independently.
Most states require license applicants to have either a bachelor's or master's degree, as well as relevant fieldwork.
For the fieldwork to qualify, you must work under the supervision of a licensed social worker or counselor.
Learn About Becoming an Adoption Agency Worker Today
If you want to work in an adoption agency, start by getting at least a bachelor's degree in social work.
