Adoption

Adoption is a lifelong commitment.

It is a legal procedure in which all the parental responsibility is transferred to the adopters.

Who can adopt?

There is no such thing as the ideal adoptive family. We are more interested in what people have to offer a child who needs a home, rather than in marital status or income level. Disability does not automatically rule you out.

You need to be:

• mature and thoughtful
• happy to make space in your life and home
• patient, flexible and energetic
• determined to make a real difference to a child's life, for a lifetime
• ready for a challenge
• well supported by family and friends

Important qualities

Some of the qualities we look for in prospective adoptive parents are that they:

• like children and young people
• are flexible and non-judgmental
• have the ability to negotiate and compromise
• understand and empathise with children who may have been neglected or abused
• welcome opportunities for training and support and feel able to work with social workers and other professional staff
• are not daunted by children with difficult behaviour
• are able to cope with complex needs which may require a great deal of patience, skill and determination, possibly over a very long period of time
• are willing and able to make a long term commitment and provide a permanent home for a child and 'claim' them for the rest of their lives

Find out more

If you are interested in adopting, contact our family placement team.