Ready to adopt checker

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Are you aged 21 or over?(Required)

Yes

No

Adopters need to be over 21 but there is no upper age limit.

We will expect you to have the health and vitality to see your children through to an age of independence.

You’ll need to wait until you’re 21 to start the process. But in the meantime, you can find out as much as you can to prepare yourself to start then.

Have you lived in the UK for the last 12 months?(Required)

Yes

No

You do not have to be a British citizen to adopt a child, but:

you (or your partner, if you’re a couple) must have a fixed and permanent home in the UK
you (and your partner, if you’re a couple) must have lived in the UK for at least one year before you begin the application process

You need to have been a UK resident for the last 12 months before you begin the application process.

You must also have a fixed and permanent home in the UK.

Do you already have children?(Required)

Yes

No

It is a great asset to have experience of looking after children when applying to adopt so having children of your own will certainly not exclude you from adopting, whether they are living at home with you or have grown up.

Consideration will, however, be given to the age gap between your own children and the age of the child(ren) you wish to adopt. We recommend an age gap of at least two years between the youngest child and an adopted child.

It is a good idea to gain some experience of spending time with children, preferably the same age as the child you are considering adopting and, if possible, within your own home.

We understand that not everyone has nieces and nephews, or friends with children to babysit for, but having some experience will stand you in very good stead.

Not having experience wouldn’t necessarily prevent you from moving through the process at this stage, but we would be keen to know how you planned to get the required experience and would be happy to give advice and support on where to do this.

We have had many adopters able to join football coaching, Brownies, Rainbows, Cubs, after-school clubs, read with reception children, or help in crèches and day care facilities. This experience will help inform your assessment, as well as help you start to work through what kind of children you will best be suited to.

Do you have a spare room?(Required)

Yes

No

That's ideal! Adopted children will need their own bedroom, however, if they are joining your family as a sibling group it may be possible for them to share a room as siblings if they have previously done so.

You will need to know if your house home is flexible enough to grow and change as your child/ren grow and change.

We typically require all adopters to have a spare room for a child to sleep in.

Your home will need to be in a suitable condition for children to live in. If you are having extensive building work done, for example, we may suggest you wait until this is completed.

Adopted children will need their own bedroom, however, if they are joining your family as a sibling group it may be possible for them to share a room as siblings if they have previously done so.

You will need to know if your house is flexible enough to grow and change as your children grow and change.

Are you in a relationship?(Required)

Yes

No

The stability and permanency of any relationship you are in is our only concern.

If you are registering to adopt as a couple, you need to have been in a stable relationship and living together in the same home for at least two years.

What we need are flexible, open, honest people who can consider a range of children and who can understand the difficult start these children have had.

Adopters will need to appreciate that children will potentially come from a wide range of experiences, cultures, heritages, and religions. They may be part of a larger sibling group that has been separated.

Although we are here to support you in your parenting task to maximise your child’s emotional, social and educational development, we ask you to consider your support network of friends, family and/or colleagues who can offer support to you and your family. For the majority of adoptive families these will be the first and most natural people to call on when advice and support may be needed.

There are no hard and fast rules about who can adopt. We welcome single adopters.

Adopters will need to appreciate that children will potentially come from a wide range of experiences, cultures, heritages, and religions. They may be part of a larger sibling group that has been separated.

Although we are here to support you in your parenting task to maximise your child’s emotional, social and educational development, we ask you to consider your support network of friends, family and/or colleagues who can offer support to you and your family. For the majority of adoptive families these will be the first and most natural people to call on when advice and support may be needed.

Does anyone in the house have any serious criminal convictions?(Required)

Yes

No

We would ask that you are open and honest with us about any convictions or cautions you may have received in the past. Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks will still be undertaken during the application process. If you have been convicted of serious offences such as offences against children, murder, serious sexual offences, offences against vulnerable adults, or serious fraud then you will not be able to adopt.

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks will still be undertaken during the application process.

Are you trying to conceive or having fertility treatment?(Required)

Yes

No

If you have been having infertility treatment, such as IVF, we would normally expect this to have ended before you apply to adopt.

We prefer you to wait at least six months between your treatment ending and formally applying to become an adopter.

If you have recently stopped trying to conceive/having infertility treatment we advise you to wait at least six months before starting the formal adoption process.

Do you work?(Required)

Yes

No

If you are working and get matched for adoption you may be entitled to adoption leave.

Your financial circumstances and employment status will always be considered as part of an adoption assessment, but low income, being unemployed or employed do not automatically rule you out.

You can be an adoptive parent while on benefits.

As a non-working adopter, you may not be entitled to statutory adoption leave.

Your financial circumstances and employment status will always be considered as part of an adoption assessment, but low income, being unemployed or employed do not automatically rule you out.

You can be an adoptive parent while on benefits.

Do you have any health concerns or disabilities?(Required)

Yes - a health issue

Yes - a disability

No

If you have a medical condition or have had a recent life event such as a bereavement, a major illness, or anything that may impact your emotional health, please let us know from the start.

Your general health must still enable you to meet the challenges our children may bring.

Your health will be assessed on this basis.

Being disabled will not automatically exclude anyone from becoming an adopter and it is recognised that people with disabilities are able to provide a very loving home for a child.

Your general health, or any disability you may have, must still enable you to meet the challenges our children may bring.

Your health will be assessed on this basis. Please let us know about your health as early as possible.

All our adopters will have a medical assessment as part of the adoption process.

Are you religious?(Required)

Yes

No

You can be of any religion or ethnicity.

We will take any religious beliefs into consideration when placing a child to ensure any placement meets with the beliefs of both child and parents, where required.

Applicants without a faith are welcome to adopt.

Do you have adoption concerns about ethnicity or heritage?(Required)

Yes

No

You are able to adopt if you are from any ethnicity. All ethnicities and mixed heritage are welcome!

Regardless of your ethnic background or combined heritage, you are eligible to adopt. You can be matched with children from similar or different backgrounds. The important thing for the child will be how you help them feel like they belong in your family and community.

The law states that race is just one factor when it comes to adoption and it is crucial that this is recognised in social work practice so more children can find loving homes, whatever their race.

We try to match the child’s ethnicity, cultural and religious heritage with their adoptive family. For this reason, we need white, black, Asian and mixed heritage adopters who practise all faiths or have no faith.

All ethnicities and mixed heritage are welcome! You are able to adopt if you are from any ethnicity.

Regardless of your ethnic background or combined heritage, you are eligible to adopt. You can be matched with children from similar or different backgrounds. The important thing for the child will be how you help them feel like they belong in your family and community.

The law states that race is just one factor when it comes to adoption and it is crucial that this is recognised in social work practice so more children can find loving homes, whatever their race.

We try to match the child’s ethnicity, cultural and religious heritage with their adoptive family. For this reason, we need white, black, Asian and mixed heritage adopters who practice all faiths or have no faith.

Does anyone in the house smoke or vape?(Required)

Yes

No

If you, or someone you live with, smokes or vapes, then you won’t be able to adopt a child under five years old.

You, or the smoker/vaper are advised to have quit for at least six months before you begin the process.

We want to make sure the child and you are in the best possible health to begin your life together. If you need support to stop smoking please seek advice from your GP.

That's ideal! We want to make sure the child and you are in the best possible health to begin your life together.

Are you still interested in adopting?(Required)

Yes

No

Still unsure

Fantastic! Please contact us and talk to a member of our friendly team to find out more about adopting with us.

Please contact us to discuss your situation. It may be that the reason you have decided ‘no’ is something we can help you with.

We understand this is a big decision. We would be happy to discuss any concerns or uncertainties with you. Please do contact us.

Are you ready to adopt?