We know that there can be some confusion and lots of myths about who can adopt. So, what’s the reality?
Read our frequently asked questions, and if you can’t find an answer you are looking for please contact us by filling in our online enquiry form or calling 01942 487272.
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How long does it take to become an approved adopter?
Becoming an approved adopter takes on average 6-8 months. This includes the time taken for all our safeguarding and referencing checks to be completed, your portfolio of work, training, and assessment sessions with your allocated social worker. This time is split into two stages - stage one and stage two.
Prospective adopters can take a break between stage one and stage two, if they wish, of up to 6 months.
All of our prospective adopter assessments are treated individually, so some assessments may take more time than others, although you will always be kept informed of any reasons should this be the case as we work openly and in partnership with you.
Is there an age limit to becoming an adopter?
You must be 21 and above to adopt but there is no upper age limit. However, we do need to take into consideration your individual circumstances and health to ensure that you are able to support a child into adulthood.
I'm single, can I adopt?
Yes! You can adopt whether you are single, married or unmarried. Your marital status is absolutely no barrier to becoming an adoptive parent.
Will my sexual orientation affect my application to adopt?
Absolutely not! We welcome adopters regardless of their sexual orientation and are proud members of New Family Social (external link). We have a wealth of experience of working with the LGBTQ+ community and assessing individuals and couples to become approved adopters. We also work closely with Proud2B Parents, a local organisation that support families and families to be from the LGBTQ+ community.
Will a medical condition or disability affect my application to adopt?
Having a disability or health issue doesn’t automatically exclude you from adopting a child. We would need to discuss the nature of your disability or health concern and consider how this may impact on you as an adoptive parent. We will work openly and honestly with you and help you to find solutions to support you, rather than problems to exclude you.
This would also be considered in your health assessment which is completed by your GP, and advice will be given by our medical advisor.
Do I need to be a homeowner to adopt?
No, you don’t need to own your own home to adopt. You may rent privately, be in a property provided by a housing association/the local authority or own your own home. It does not matter if you live in a house, bungalow, flat or other types of accommodation.
However, it is important to have enough space to accommodate a child or children as in most cases you would need a spare bedroom.
I already have children, can I adopt?
Yes you can and we often find that your experience as a parent can be a real advantage. We would need to talk to your children to get their thoughts and we usually ask that there is a minimum of a two-year age gap between your birth and adopted children.
Do I need to be employed or earning a specific income to adopt?
No, you don’t need to be employed or earning a specific income to adopt. During the assessment we will look at your income and management of money, so we can ensure you can support a child through to adulthood.
Once you are an approved adopter, you may be eligible to apply for certain benefits. Our team can advise you on this.
How much adoption leave will I need to take?
We recommend that at least one adopter has time off work following a child moving in with their family. A child will need time to build a relationship with their new family and it will take time for them to feel safe and secure. It is difficult to say how long this will take but the agency would expect one parent to take at least 6 months off but up to 12 months is not unusual. If an older child is moving in with their family and attends school then after a period of settling in it may be possible to work and still be there for the child at either end of the school day.
We recommend that you enquire about your employer’s adoption leave policy, as well as find out more about Statutory Adoption Leave (external link).
On occasions a child may need a parent to be off work longer and financial support may be available from the child’s local authority in such circumstances. For people who are self-employed and not entitled to adoption leave allowances, can discuss with our team about how to balance the need for work and offering a child the stability that they need early on.
Would a criminal record affect my application to adopt?
If you have a past conviction(s) it would not necessarily prevent you from adopting a child. We ask you to be honest and open with us from the start and we will investigate the circumstances around any conviction(s) thoroughly during your assessment. However, you will not be considered if an offence involves a child or children or is a sexual offence.
If I smoke or vape does this affect my application to adopt?
We need to ensure that babies and children we place aren’t being exposed to harmful toxins that could damage their health. As an agency we do not place children under the age of 5 years old in smoking households. Some children in our care may also have underlying health conditions which would mean they are unable to live within a smoking household. Our team will speak to you about the extent of your smoking habits and what this may mean.
With regards to vaping, as an agency we would like to have a better understanding of the reasons why a vape was being used - for example, whether it was as a tool to quit smoking, or if it is long-term usage. We would expect to see a commitment to stopping vaping before a child was placed with adopters.
I am currently undergoing IVF, will this cause me any problems with my application?
You can look at applying to become an adopter if you have previously undergone fertility treatment. We would advise a period of six months between fertility investigations / treatment and applying to adopt. This allows time to support you with coming to terms with your own loss and to be able to fully commit to the adoption process.
Will you need to contact my ex-partner?
If you have had a previous relationship where children have been present, then we need to talk to your previous partner due to your involvement with those children. Lots of people worry about this so please talk to us if you have any concerns. Any information from a previous partner is treated as part of your whole assessment and wouldn’t usually be a barrier to you going forward.
Can I adopt if I have pets?
Yes. A lot of children love animals, so in most cases having pets isn’t a problem. As part of the assessment process, we will complete a pet assessment to help us to understand your pet and how they are cared for within your home. The assessment will also consider whether there are any potential issues with your pet living with a child. We may also recommend an external pet assessment if deemed necessary, and there will be a cost to this which needs to be paid by you.
Will I need to take time off work during my assessment?
During your assessment there is mandatory training for our prospective adopters. The first one is in stage one, which is called our preparation to adopt training. This is held on 4 days over two weeks. We also have mandatory stage two training, which is called parenting children who have experienced trauma, and this is one day of training.
It is also likely you will have to take some time off to attend assessment sessions with your social worker, however, these will not be full days.
What training do you offer?
We offer a range of training during the assessment process, such as mandatory training of preparation to adopt and parenting children who have experienced trauma.
We also offer training for foster carers who are applying to adopt and second time adopters.
We offer training on fostering for adoption (FFA), therapeutic parenting and first time parenting. We also have a virtual evening session called meet the adopters, where previous adopters share their experiences.
Our post-adoption support team also have a range of training throughout the year, and this is available to our adopters and their children throughout their childhood.
Is there a cost for adopting?
Whilst there is no cost for our assessment of prospective adopters, there are some costs associated with checks that need to be completed.
Prospective adopters will have to pay for their medical assessment, which is completed by their GP. If you have a pet and an external pet assessment is recommended, prospective adopters will also have to pay for this.
Towards the end of your journey as adopters, there will also be a cost to apply to the courts for your child’s adoption order.
What does an adoption order mean?
This is a legal order giving full parental responsibility for a child to the approved adopters, This means that you have all the legal rights of a parent as if your child had been born to you. An adoption order severs the legal ties between a birth parent and the child, so that the adoptive parent(s) become the child's legal parent(s) throughout life.
What support is available after I have adopted?
We have a range of support available for our adopters throughout their journey.
From stage two onwards, we have the following support groups:
- Single adopters;
- LGBTQ+ adopters;
- Adopters who have children at home (birth or adopted children)
- A general support group for all adopters in Stage 2 and beyond
We also have a group for adopters with children who have been recently placed in their adoptive homes.
Our post-adoption support team also have a range of ongoing support, through their duty line, training, and social groups once an adoption order has been granted.
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