Adoption explained

So you’re thinking about adopting. That’s great. Making a space in your life for a child is an amazing thing to do, and a big decision to take. There’s a lot to think about and a lot to learn.

Why adopt?

Adoption is a way of providing a loving home for children who can no longer be brought up by their birth mum or dad. When you adopt, you take on all the legal rights and responsibilities for the child. It’s a lifelong commitment and like all parenting, it means sticking with it through good times and bad. It’s not always easy but, as many adoptive parents will tell you, it can be extraordinarily rewarding.

Can anyone adopt?

Our job is to help match every child to the right family, taking into account the child’s emotional, health and developmental needs. We find that children do best in a family that reflects their ethnic identity as closely as possible. So we’re always on the lookout for a wide range of people with different backgrounds and experiences. You must be over 21, patient, flexible, energetic and determined to transform a child’s life for good. But, contrary to popular belief, you needn’t own your home, have a job or be under 40. You don’t have to be married either, or in a relationship, or heterosexual. Neither must you be a parent, or specially qualified in any way, and disability is not necessarily an obstacle. People with certain types of criminal records are not able to adopt, including those who have a criminal conviction or have been cautioned for specified criminal offences against children, or some sexual offences against adults. It is important to be honest with your adoption agency about any record of offence or caution you have, including those that happened many years ago.

Who might I adopt?

There are thousands of children of all ages and backgrounds awaiting adoption in the UK. There are very few babies needing adoption who have not experienced early difficulties. Many are older children, aged between four and ten, and some are brothers and sisters who want to grow up together. Some may have behavioural problems, physical disabilities, learning difficulties or medical conditions. Others may have been abused or neglected. Many need lots of extra time and attention. Often, older children, siblings and children with disabilities or those from minority ethnic groups wait the longest. They are, of course, the ones we are particularly anxious to place.

Suggested reading

We have selected some publications which may give you further information on a range of adoption topics