A lot of people think that they won’t be able to adopt for one reason or another, or think about adoption, but never take the next step.
The information below answers some of the most common adoption questions asked, and will hopefully dispel any myths and misconceptions you may have.
If you have any other questions, or still unsure about anything, give us a
call:
0116 299 5899.
The Q&A’s below are grouped under headings to make it easier for you to find the answer to what you are looking for.
Children
Q: How old are the children? I have heard that it isn’t possible to adopt very young babies?
A: It is very rare for babies to be given up voluntarily by their birth families. Nearly every child we place has been removed from their birth family and due to the court process the majority of children we place are at least 12 months old. Children needing adoption may be considerably older dependant upon their age when the plan for adoption is made, and the complexity of the court proceedings.
Q: Which children need adopting?
A: Most children we place for adoption are in the one to seven age range. They come from a variety of backgrounds and cultures; most are white/British and a few children are from black, Asian or mixed heritage backgrounds.
Children may be placed for adoption as single children or they may need to be placed with their brothers and sisters. Wherever possible we make every effort to keep siblings together. Some children will have brothers and sisters who remain within their birth family or who are adopted elsewhere.
Many children placed for adoption are at risk of, or have experienced, abuse and/or neglect in their birth families. Some children may have physical or learning disabilities. The one thing all these children have in common is that their birth parents are unable to care for them and they need a new, permanent family.
Q: What if I have children of my own?
A: Many people successfully parent both birth and adoptive children together. Some children benefit from being placed within a larger family. Usually we would only place an adoptive child who is younger than your birth child by at least two years.
Q: Will I be told about the child’s background?
A: It is very important that you know as much as possible about the child’s past. The law says the adoption agency must give you all the information it has about the child. This includes details about his or her background, time in care, school history and any medical needs. This knowledge will help you to understand the child when they come to live with you, help the child understand the circumstances of their adoption and help you find the best way of supporting them in the future.
Q: Will the child still see their birth family?
A: Although it is rare for adopted children to see their birth parents face to face following adoption, all adoptive parents are required to provide information for the birth family of their child via the Agency’s Post Box Scheme.
Most children benefit from continuing to have information about birth family or other important people in their lives. Adults adopted as children have expressed how important it was to them to know about their past and where they came from. The level of contact suggested depends on the child and the situation and as every case is different this is something that will be discussed before a child is placed with you. At the very least it will be Post Box once per year.
If you would like further details about the children we are placing please contact us on:
0116 299 5899
Also see:
Q: I live in Leicestershire – do I need to go to a Leicestershire, rather than the Leicester City, adoption agency?
A: No. Although we are based in Leicester, we are primarily looking for people wanting to adopt who live in Leicestershire and also within the rest of the East Midlands region.
Applicants will need to travel to Leicester for an Information Evening and training course and we will need to visit you at home to complete your assessment and to provide support. It is therefore best if you live within approximately 50 miles or an hour’s drive of the City.
If you are unsure whether we cover your area please contact us, or click on the link below to see the areas where we are looking for adopters.
Areas we are looking for adopters in >>
Q: Does my marital status affect me adopting?
A: We welcome applications from all people regardless of their marital status.
Applications are accepted from: single people, married couples, couples who have a civil partnership and unmarried couples who live together.
Your status as either a single person or as a couple will be assessed in relation to your ability to adapt to parenting. For couples, the stability and length of the partnership will be considered.
Ideally you need to have been together for a period of five years before applying to us.
Q: Can I adopt if I don't own my home?
A: Yes. You would need to show that you have enough room to care for a child or children, in a safe, stable environment, whether you rent or own your home.
Q: Must an adopted child have their own room?
A: Yes. We ask that people applying to us are able to provide an adopted child with a bedroom of their own. Sometimes siblings who are adopted together may be able to share, but it would not be recommended for your birth and adopted child to do so, or for the child to sleep your room, even if they are a baby.
Q: My parents/friend/another family member lives with us as well – can I still adopt?
A: This would depend on your individual circumstances. Anyone else living in your home would be part of an assessment and all adults over 18 subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check. Please contact us for a further discussion if you think this applies to you.
Q: How old to I have to be to adopt?
A: There are no hard and fast rules about upper age limits. People of all ages can, and do, successfully adopt. You do have to be over 21 though.
We are looking for people who can provide a stable home for a child, or children, throughout their childhood and beyond.
Q: My husband is only 21, is that too young to adopt?
A: We can accept applications from people aged 21 and over, and if a couple, both partners must have reached this age. We do ask that you have had some experience of caring for children and are at a place in your life where you can provide a stable environment for a child.
We don't have an upper age limit. We just need people with the energy, commitment and patience to see an adopted child into adulthood.
Q: I am in a mixed race relationship?
A: We try to place children with adoptive parents who reflect their own ethnic background. We have a need for adopters from different ethnic groups so we would welcome your enquiry.
Q: What if I am religious?
A: Applicants may be practising their faith or may be nominal or non-practising. You will be asked about this because if birth parents have requested that their child is raised in a particular faith, efforts will be made to meet their request.
Applicants need to have good physical and mental health. All applicants will be asked to have a medical with their own doctor. If you have an existing health concern, you will need to speak to your doctor about your adoption plans.
If you have any concerns about medical conditions, please contact us for
an informal chat. We have access to a medical adviser who can also
offer advice:
0116 299 5899
Q: I may be overweight?
A: Being a bit overweight will not stop you adopting a child. It is only a problem if you are dangerously overweight and a medical advisor thinks that this poses a threat to your long-term health, or would affect your ability to parent a child.
Q: I have a disability and/or health problem?
A: We accept applications from disabled people. You would not necessarily be ruled out on the grounds of your health or a disability. We would need to assess your ability to parent a child as we do with all applicants.
Q: What if I or one of us smokes?
A: Being a smoker will not necessarily mean you can't adopt. However we are unable to place a child under the age of five with anybody that smokes and we would always prefer you to give up smoking due to the health risks to both parent and child. Applicants who have given up smoking and wish to adopt a younger child would need to have ceased for at least a year at point of application.
Q: What if I am having fertility treatment?
A: A large number of adopters have undergone fertility treatment prior to applying to us. By this point you will need to have finished your last cycle of treatment, and we ask that you have left a gap of at least six months before commencing the adoption process. However if you are currently undergoing, or have just finished treatment and would like an informal chat at this stage, we’d be glad to talk to you.
Q: What if I have a criminal conviction?
A: Anyone wanting approval as adopters, and members of their household aged over 18, must have a Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.
Having a conviction or caution doesn't necessarily prevent you from being considered as an adoptive parent. Much depends on the seriousness of the offence, how long since the crime was committed and how you have lived your life since. You would need to be prepared to talk to us about this during the assessment process.
There are some ‘Specified Offences’ which automatically prevent you becoming an adopter. These include all convictions for violent or sexual offences against children.
If you have a criminal conviction or caution and are concerned about how this may affect your ability to adopt, please contact us for a confidential chat.
Q: I am unemployed?
A: This wouldn’t necessarily exclude you; we approve people as long as they can meet the general living costs of a child.
Q: Both myself and my partner work full time, will one of us have to give up work?
A: No - not necessarily, it all depends on the needs of the child. Legally one of you will be entitled to adoption leave of 6 -12 months and we need you to be willing to take this time off work once a child is placed. Some children may need a bit longer to settle with you so flexibility about returning to work may be required. This also applies to single applicants.
Q: What is the cost of adoption?
A: There is no charge for our service to adopt a child from the UK. The only fee adopters need to pay is for the medical which is carried out by their own GP. Medical charges are set by individual surgeries and payable directly to them.
Q: Will I be paid?
A: You are expected to meet the general living costs of a child you adopt, just like any parent. However, you may be able to receive some financial support for one off or ongoing payments that are means-tested and depend on the needs of the child. You may also be entitled to state benefits. We would be more than happy to explain more, or you could also contact your local benefits agency.
You will also receive child benefit and Child Tax Credit if applicable.
Q: I don't live in the UK?
A: You must have had legal residency in the UK for at least one
year before applying to adopt a British child. This includes British
citizens and residents of the Republic of Ireland.
As a single person, you must be either a resident of
the British Isles, or have been ‘habitually resident’ in a part of the
British Isles for at least one year ending with the date of the
application.
If you are applying as a couple, at least one of you
must be a resident of the British Isles, or both of you have been
‘habitually resident’ in any part of the British Isles for at least one
year ending with the date of the application. A court would not grant an
adoption order to anyone 'leave to remain' in this
country. For this reason we would not be able to accept an application
before this matter is resolved.
Q: How is an adoption made legal?
A: Your social worker and the child’s social worker will continue to visit you until the court grants a formal adoption order. The social workers are there to advise and assist through the adjustments which inevitably occur when people begin to live together for the first time.
Some time after the child comes to live with you, the court will make an adoption order. An adoption order ends all legal ties the child has with the birth family. The child can take your surname and becomes a permanent member of your family.
Once you have actually adopted, you are perhaps wondering – what then? Am I left on my own? Is that it?
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Q: what happens after I have adopted?
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Q: What further help and support is available?
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Q: May I choose my adopted child’s name?
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Q: What rights do birth parents have after the adoption?
For answers to these questions visit:
Post adoption support >>
More information
Q: Who do I talk to if I want to find out more and start the process?
A: The Adoption Services East Midlands Team are here to help. No matter what sort of questions you have, or how trivial you might think it is – we have most likely been asked it before and have a lot of experience dealing with all kinds of questions.
Please feel free to call for an informal chat – and should you think of anything else you want to ask – ring us again. You can ring us as many times as you want – one of the friendly team here will always be glad to help you on the phone during normal office hours. If it's out of office hours, leave a message and we will call you back the next working day.
Adoption Services East Midlands: 0116 299 5899
