--- title: Home Study Services - What to Expect from a Home Visit description: Every prospective adoptive family will have a home visit conducted by an adoption Social Worker to ensure the safety and suitability of the home. image: https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/file-18141559-jpg/images/imagescawfqf3n1.jpg --- ![holding-hands-918990_960_720-2](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/hubfs/holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg?width=959&name=holding-hands-918990_960_720-2.jpg "holding-hands-918990_960_720-2") # Family Connections, Inc. Blog #### Let us help you. # [Home Study Services - What to Expect from a Home Visit](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/bid/284825/Home-Study-Services-What-to-Expect-from-a-Home-Visit) ![close](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/AK-UI%20Builder/close-button.svg) ### Categories - [adopt a child (88)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopt-a-child) - [adoptees (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptees) - [adopting older children (6)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-older-children) - [adopting the older child (5)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adopting-the-older-child) - [adoption (230)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption) - [adoption attorneys (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-attorneys) - [adoption choices (71)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-choices) - [adoption costs (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-costs) - [adoption dossier (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-dossier) - [adoption from foster care (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-from-foster-care) - [adoption help (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-help) - [adoption information (49)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-information) - [adoption law (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-law) - [adoption options (73)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-options) - [adoption paperwork (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-paperwork) - [adoption profile (3)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-profile) - [adoption questions (17)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-questions) - [adoption resources (24)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-resources) - [adoption services (97)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-services) - [adoption support (18)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoption-support) - [adoptive families (43)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-families) - [adoptive family (40)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-family) - [adoptive parent (39)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parent) - [adoptive parents (13)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/adoptive-parents) - [affording adoption (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/affording-adoption) - [Belize Adoption (9)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/belize-adoption) - [Binghamton (36)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/binghamton) - [birth families (15)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-families) - [birth family (11)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-family) - [birth mother (86)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-mother) - [birth parent (72)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/birth-parent) - [Bulgaria Adoption (10)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/bulgaria-adoption) - [creating a profile (2)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/creating-a-profile) - [domestic adoption (106)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/domestic-adoption) - [expedited (1)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/expedited) - [families waiting to adopt (20)](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/topic/families-waiting-to-adopt) - [Family Connections, Inc. 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** - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F284825%2FHome-Study-Services-What-to-Expect-from-a-Home-Visit) - [**](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F284825%2FHome-Study-Services-What-to-Expect-from-a-Home-Visit) - [**](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/bid/284825/Home-Study-Services-What-to-Expect-from-a-Home-Visit) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adoptfamilyconnections.org%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F284825%2FHome-Study-Services-What-to-Expect-from-a-Home-Visit) Written by Renee Hettich on May 09, 2013 ![home study](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/hs-fs/file-18141559-jpg/images/imagescawfqf3n1.jpg?width=75&height=112&name=imagescawfqf3n1.jpg)  Any individual or couple who [wishes to adopt a child](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/) (birth through 21 years domestically; birth through 16 years internationally) must successfully complete a [home study investigation](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/home-study-services/) and be approved as an adoptive parent(s).     To successfully complete a home study investigation, prospective adoptive parents must have a home visit and home safety assessment conducted by an adoption Social Worker to ensure the prospective adoptive family’s home is suitable and safe for a child(ren).  The number of home visits is determined by the specific requirements of the adoption.    The Social Worker will tour the home to determine if the home has proper space for an adopted child(ren) and is well protected and free of potential hazards. During the home visit, the Social Worker will be looking for:   - Child proofing (e.g. outlet covers, cabinet locks, gated stairs) or a plan for child proofing if no children are currently in the home - Fire/smoke detectors on every level of the home - Carbon monoxide detector in the home - Potential hazards (e.g. medicines, cleaning supplies) secured and out of reach - Stair railings - Fenced, locked and alarmed pool (if any) - Gated and protected fireplaces and/or wood stoves (if any) - Secured firearms in a gun safe with ammunition securely stored in a separate location - Overall maintenance of the home inside and out - Other potential safety concerns - Adequate space for the addition of a child(ren) to the home   If the Social Worker has any concerns regarding the safety of the home, the prospective adoptive parents will be given an opportunity to correct the safety hazard.  Once corrected, the Social Worker will return to the home to inspect the change and reassess the home’s suitability for a child(ren).       Most prospective adoptive parent(s) are anxious about their home visit but then find the experience fun and exciting.  It gives the prospective adoptive parent(s) an opportunity to plan for and envision their adopted child(ren) in their home.   Family Connections, Inc. is an authorized New York State adoption agency that provides home study services for families wishing to adopt [domestically](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/domestic-adoptions/) or [internationally](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/international-adoptions/).  Please contact Anita or Renee at 607-756-6574 or 1-800-535-5556 or renee@adoptfamilyconnections.org to discuss your needs for home study services.  The agency looks forward to supporting your adoption plans.   [![Download The Adoption Home Study Guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/159841/6d149a21-0c87-464b-b937-c24da4301fcb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/159841/6d149a21-0c87-464b-b937-c24da4301fcb) ![Subscribe](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2432204/99%20Template%20Pack/Background%20Images/message.svg "Subscribe") ### Subscribe to Stay Connected ### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. Put your Comment Below. ### You may also like: ## [Adoption Home Study Visit and What to Expect](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/adoption-home-study-visit-and-what-to-expect) Understand and prepare for your adoption home study visit to ensure a smooth adoption process. ## [Open Adoption vs. Closed Adoption: Understanding the Difference](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/open-adoption-vs.-closed-adoption-understanding-the-difference) What is the difference between open and closed adoptions ? ## [Ways to Discuss Adoption with Your Child](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/engaging-ways-to-discuss-adoption-with-kids) Discover effective strategies for sharing the story of adoption with your children, ensuring a nurturing and open family... ![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/2432204/hubfs/99%20Template%20Pack/newsletter_bg.jpeg?width=2000&name=newsletter_bg.jpeg) ## Subscribe to Stay Connected There is always more to learn when it comes to adoption! ### Subscribe to Email Updates    [I'm Pregnant](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/im-pregnant/) / [Waiting Families](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/waiting-families/) / [I Want to Adopt](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/i-want-to-adopt/) / [Resources](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/resources/) / [Our Staff](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/our-staff/) / [Contact Us](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/contact-us/) / [Blog](https://www.adoptfamilyconnections.org/blog/)    Call Today!  607-756-6574   © 2019 Family Connections, Inc. 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