Adoption is when a child legally becomes part of your family. If you have been through fertility treatment without success, or you have decided against it, you may be thinking about adopting a child.

Who can adopt?

Anyone aged 21 or above can adopt, provided you can give a child a stable, loving home. People who adopt can be single, married, in a civil partnership or living with a partner. You don’t have to own your own home and you don’t have to be in work.

What’s does adoption involve?

Children who are available for adoption are usually ‘looked after’ children. That means they are in the care of a local authority. You will need to submit an application to an adoption agency, who will then decide whether you are suitable adoptive parents, match you with a child (or children) and support you through the adoption.

The adoption process is lengthy and demanding and can feel intrusive. It involves medical check-ups, in-depth interviews with a social worker, police checks and home visits. This is because the agency has to make sure that the adoption is going to be successful.

What are the first steps?

The first thing to do is to contact your local adoption agency. The British Association of Adoption & Fostering (BAAF) has a handy ‘Find an agency’ tool. You can also find local agencies, or the website of your local authority, at the DirectGov website.

The agency will send you information about adoption. They will also offer you the chance to meet people who have already adopted and give you counselling to help you understand the needs of children who have been neglected or abused. If both you and the agency are then happy to go ahead, they will then give you an application form.

What support is there for adoptive parents?

Every local authority is legally obliged to provide advice, information and counselling for adoptive parents. Charities, such as Adoption UK and BAAF, can also offer support before, during and after adoption.

Can I adopt a child from abroad?

Yes, you can. You’ll need to contact your local authority initially, or you can contact agencies that deal with intercountry adoptions, such as the Intercountry Adoption Agency, directly.

You will be assessed by a UK agency in the same way as any other adoptive parents, and once you have been approved you will be given a Certificate of Eligibility. This certificate will then be sent, along with your application, to the relevant authorities in the country you want to adopt from.

You’ll find more information about intercountry adoption on the Directgov website.