We live in a very diverse society, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic,
multi-religious, with families living differing lifestyles and compositions. Therefore, we need all sorts of adoptive families for all sorts of children.
There is no automatic 'right' to be an adoptive parent, and we prioritise
applications depending on the needs of the children we have to place from our
three adoption agencies.
We have no 'blanket bans' for prospective adopters except that you must be
over 21 years old and have no criminal convictions of violence or offences
against children.
You may find the following information useful:
Health
You will be required to have full medicals with your GP and our Medical
Advisor makes a recommendation. What is vital is that you have good enough
health and energy to bring up a child into adulthood and a lifestyle which will
encourage the child’s development.
Disability
If you are disabled, what matters is your ability to parent a child and
manage the extra challenges that an adopted child will inevitably bring. We
have experience of successful adoptive parents who are wheelchair users.
Age
As long as you are healthy and energetic, your age is not a bar to adoption.
However, as higher numbers of people wish to adopt young children, it is
inevitable that older adopters will not be chosen as quickly for very young
children.
Single Applicants
We have experience of many successful single adopters. For such adoptions to
work well, it is important that there is strong family and friend support and
that the single adopter has enough time in their life to devote to that
child.
Marital Status
Most couples who adopt are married, but since the Adoption and Children Act
2002, cohabiting couples can now adopt jointly.
Sexual Orientation
Same sex couples can now adopt jointly with or without a civil
partnership.
Race and Ethnicity
Most of our children needing adoptive families are from White British
backgrounds, but there is a significant minority of children who are Asian,
African-Caribbean or from a bi-racial or mixed ethnic background. Adoptions are
usually more successful if children are placed with families from the same or
similar racial and cultural heritage. We therefore welcome applications from
people from diverse backgrounds.
We may be able to put people in touch with experienced adopters who may be
of the same ethnic background as themselves to give useful information and
links.
If you have any questions or wish for more information, do contact us: 0116 299 5899
Also see:
