Who can adopt?

Adopters can be from any background and we don’t have a set check list of qualities or credentials that we are looking for. But, there are several qualities that make a good adoptive parent:

• provides love, time and commitment to a child
• empathises with a child who may never have experienced the security of feeling safe and loved
• is patient and flexible, to supportively adapt to whatever unique challenges may come from the child’s circumstances
• has the energy and health to provide a permanent family for a child

Paula Gibbons, Head of Service for Adopt Coast to Coast said:

I know that people rule themselves out before they even make an enquiry based on the experiences of others and misconceptions.  We are not looking for a certain type of person, couple or family.  We understand that it is an enormous step to make that first contact with an adoption agency, so I want to reassure people that our staff are approachable and supportive.  There is no pre-set list of credentials – it’s all about the individual applicant and matching them to a child or children who is the best fit for them.  I also want people to know that you don’t have to be perfect to adopt – after all there is no such thing as a perfect family and you can adopt regardless of your background, relationship status, sexual orientation, financial situation or existing family set up.

People who adopt need to be 21 and over, have lived in the UK for 12 months or more and can be:

• single, married or cohabitating
• from any ethnic or religious background
• heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender
• a homeowner or living in rented accommodation
• employed or on benefits

Other factors to think about

Bedroom space

While most adopted children will need the safety of their own bedroom (unless being placed with their brother or sister), please talk to us about your home and plans for the future, if you don’t have a spare room right now.

Disability

Being disabled doesn’t exclude you from adopting; and experience of disability is often helpful.

Age

There is no upper age limit for adopters, but adoptive parents need to have good health and energy to look after children into adulthood.

Smoking/vaping

We want our children to be brought up in a family that enjoys health and wellbeing, so we don’t place children aged under 5 in a household with someone who smokes or vapes. You would also be unable to adopt an older child who has a medical condition which would be worsened by living with someone who smoked or vaped.

Pets

Pets may be part of your family, and they will be assessed as part of the adoption assessment process, to ensure that our children will be safe and that their experiences of animals is understood.

Criminal convictions

People with certain criminal convictions, (typically offences against children or violent crimes) won’t be allowed to adopt; however, other convictions may not prevent you from adopting.

We’ve put together some FAQs which may answer some of the questions you may have, or alternatively why not make an enquiry to discuss your own situation with an adoption expert?