Adoption is a legal procedure in which all the parental responsibility for a child is transferred to the adopters. It’s a lifelong commitment.
Once an adoption order has been granted it can't be reversed except in extremely rare circumstances.
An adopted child loses all legal ties with their birth parents and becomes a full member of the new family, usually taking the family's name.
You will be giving a loving home to a child who can no longer be brought up by their birth parents.
Some of the children may come from a chaotic family background, including neglect, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse etc. These early experiences may have an impact so profound that just providing a loving home isn’t enough. Children who have been through adversity in early life need more than just a new parent they need adopters who are willing to commit and to invest in them and to be there for them in the long term.
Adoption involves risks in many respects and no one can promise outcomes. However, we know that children do best in secure adoptive homes so we hope you will feel rewarded by the knowledge that you will be giving a child who may have had a difficult start in life a real chance of being part of a loving family.
It’s not always easy but, as many adoptive parents will tell you, it is extraordinarily rewarding.
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Quite simply - a wide range. Most
are in the 1 - 5 age range, although we always have some school age children and
there is also a great need for adopters who are willing to take sibling groups
of 2 or 3 children.
While most of the
children are White British we also have children from other ethnic and cultural
backgrounds including Asian, African, African Caribbean and mixed heritage children.
There is no such thing as a typical adopter. We’re looking for people who have amongst other things patience, humour insight and the energy to be a parent.
The children in our care need people like you from all walks of life who can provide the security of a warm, loving family.
Every year, dozens of ordinary single people and couples become new
families and adopt children who can no longer be brought up by their
birth parents.
Don't rule yourself out...
• Single people
• Married couples
• Same sex couples
• People from diverse ethnic backgrounds
• People over the age of 21 years and in good health
• People who have already adopted
• People who have children of their own
• People living with someone in a stable relationship
• People who have decided to end fertility treatment.
• People who smoke can adopt older children
• People living in rented accommodation or home owners
We help match every child to the right adopters, taking into account the child’s emotional, health and development needs. We find children do best in a family that reflects their ethnic origin as closely as possible. So we welcome a wide range of people with different backgrounds and experiences.
You might think becoming an adopter is too difficult or you will get turned down based on your age or particular circumstances.
In reality, most people we assess go on to be placed with children.
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We guide you through the entire process. From your initial enquiry, to providing detailed information and guidance on all aspects of adoption including: counselling, financial support and help with getting benefits. We also provide post adoption support if required...
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There are several stages to go through after you have contacted us initially these include an information evening, a home visit followed by preparation groups and assessment by an adoption worker.
Remember the adoption process is a two-way partnership. It is a chance for you to think everything through and for the adoption team to find out a lot more about you.
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We aim to take you through to approval within eight months of a worker beginning your assessment. Once you are approved, the process of matching you with a suitable child may take anything from a few weeks to several months.
For full details - see:
the adoption process explained in full and time-line >>
