Your questions answered

You must be over 21 years of age to adopt but there is no upper age limit. What is important is that you are fit and healthy enough to support a child into adulthood. We are keen to hear from anyone who can provide stability, security, a safe nurturing environment and enough time to meet a child’s physical and emotional needs.

Provided your pets do not pose a threat to a child’s health or safety we are happy to consider an application from you. Some pets can actually help a child settle into a new home.

We welcome enquiries from people who are UK residents, or who are domiciled in Britain. Please contact your chosen agency if you are interested in adopting but are unsure about your status and they will be happy to advise you.

We welcome enquiries from all different types of adopters, from across the spectrum of sexuality or gender identity. We are looking for adopters who have the skills and qualities to give a child a safe, stable and nurturing environment to grow and thrive.

Single people can adopt. There is nothing unusual about single parenting – around a quarter of households in the UK with dependent children are headed by a single parent. We support adopters from a whole range of different family types through the process, and we have helped lots of single people to successfully adopt.

Conditions such as depression or anxiety are not necessarily a barrier to adoption. However, they will be taken into consideration when you make your application to ensure you are able to meet the needs of a child.

Not all criminal offences will stop you from adopting – but offences against children and some offences against other adults will. If you have a criminal record talk to your local adoption service about what this means, and they will be happy to advise you further.

Having children of your own will not exclude you from adopting. We only ask that your children are happy with your decision and that you can manage their needs alongside caring for an adopted child. We suggest at least a two-year age gap between the children in your family already and any that are placed for adoption.

Yes, but you will need time off to help the child settle into your home. For younger children, it is important that you are at home for as long as you are able. Even when they are at school, it may take longer for them to settle into a routine, so you may need to be available when they need you. The most important thing is that you are flexible and fit your work commitments around the needs of your adopted child, not the other way round. Visit our information for employers page to understand more about your adoption leave and work.

For all children it is preferable to live in a smoke free environment and therefore applicants who smoke may not be as easily matched with a child as someone who doesn’t. Children aged less than 5 years old, or a child of any age with respiratory problems or cardiac problems or a disability will not be placed with prospective adopters who smoke. We are happy to discuss this with you especially if you have decided to give up in order to apply to adopt.

Whilst e-cigarette use as a substitute for tobacco smoking is likely to pose a much lower level of risk to the health of the individual who switches, the evidence that is currently available does not confirm that they are completely safe and as a result agencies will want to consider the possible impact or potential risk to children and may choose not to place with adopters who use them.

Yes, you can. Your weight is only a problem if it affects your health or your ability to care for a child. Your GP will record your weight as part of the medical as well as any lifestyle issues.

Yes, absolutely. Disabilities and most medical conditions are not a barrier for adoption. Agency Medical Advisers will look at the information provided by your GP and your social worker will discuss with you how this might impact on your health, lifestyle and ability to parent. What is important is that you are healthy enough to support a child into adulthood.

Many health conditions are not a barrier to adoption, and we welcome discussions about health issues. All prospective adopters are required by statutory regulations to have a full medical examination with their own GP then your agency’s Medical Adviser will advise on any issues that may affect your application. Our primary concern is that you have the necessary health and energy to meet a child’s needs through to adulthood.

Your financial status and employment circumstances will be taken into consideration, but having a lower income or being unemployed will not automatically rule you out, if you can provide a stable and secure home for a child.

Most adopters are legally entitled to adoption leave and we will discuss with you how this works and how much time you are able to take. We ask that you consider the needs of your child when thinking about your return to work after adoption leave. We understand that you may need to return for financial reasons, but we would suggest that for most children they will need to have the consistent care of at least one adopter for an extended period following placement.

You don’t need to own your home, but you do need to be settled in secure accommodation which is suitable for a child. This will usually mean having a spare bedroom, and a plan to remain in your current home for some time, to ensure stability for a child. We look at every case based on your personal circumstances.

Some, but not all, people who adopt have experienced some form of infertility investigation or treatment. Adoption services will suggest that you take a period of time following your treatment to emotionally adjust and recover, before starting the adoption process. This is usually around 6 months. Parenting children who have had difficult early experiences can be emotionally challenging and therefore not always suitable for potential adopters who have very recently undergone another emotionally significant experience.

Depending on your circumstances, it may be appropriate for you to adopt a child in your care. You will still need to go through an assessment to make sure you are suitable to adopt. Talk to the child’s social worker and your social worker, who will give you advice on the process.

Both are registered adoption agencies and both recruit, prepare and assess potential adopters. Unlike voluntary adoption agencies, regional adoption services are also involved in the care plans for children in care.

You can contact more than one agency for information and advice, but you should only make a formal application to one – either through the regional adoption service for your council area or through a voluntary adoption service. All agencies in Wales use the same process for adoption applications but it is important you feel comfortable with the one you choose to apply to.

The assessment should take no longer than 6 months. We recognise everyone is different and some individual circumstances can impact on the time the process takes. Our aim is to ensure you are informed at every step of the way and know what is expected of you and what you can expect of us in terms of how long things will take.

For those who have adopted before or are foster carers we aim to condense the process into a shorter timescale of 4 months. This may not always be possible, but we will acknowledge the experience you already have in caring for children within the care of the local authority.

Children should always know they are adopted and who their birth family is. You will be supported to help your child understand their family history in an age appropriate and sensitive way.

Sometimes adopters meet the child’s birth parents when a match is made. This will depend on the child’s needs, the birth parent’s circumstances and what is best for the child in the long term.

For some children there will also be a need to stay in touch with their siblings or other significant family members.

We will always discuss this with you and answer any concerns you may have. All arrangements set up would be safe, non-threatening and only happen when best for the child.

We do not charge to assess or approve adopters. However, there are some costs to consider before you enquire.

• Your medical examination. The cost of a medical will vary by GP practice and can cost between £80 and £120. This fee is set by GPs and not by adoption services in Wales.
• Childcare costs: for all parents there are things you want and need to buy for your child when they arrive to make your home comfortable and safe. You may also find you need to make some lifestyle changes such as reducing your working hours to care for your child, which may have an impact on your level of disposable income.
• One-off court fee. When an adoption application is made to court, there is a one-off court fee. If two or more children in a sibling group are being adopted at the same time, only one fee will be charged. Many local authorities looking after the child cover the court fees on behalf of the adopters, and in many situations may also make a commitment to paying any additional legal fees or court costs, so these should not be a cost to you. Even if the local authority does not cover the court fees, if you are on certain benefits or have a low income, you might be able to get help with the court fee. For further details see Get help paying court and tribunal fees – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

No, the adoption process for stepparents is very different. Your regional adoption service will be able to provide you advice and information on adopting as a stepparent.

Children who need new adoptive families will likely have experienced a difficult start in life and therefore have some challenges they will need help to overcome. They are likely to be either babies and toddlers, primary aged children, brothers and sisters who need to stay together, or have additional learning needs or disabilities.

Your child will take your surname when the final Adoption Order is made. In some circumstances it may be appropriate to change or vary their first name, but we ask you to think carefully about the impact this may have on the child and their sense of identity, both at the time and in the future. A social worker will be able to discuss this with you.

Our experience shows that adoptive families may need support at different times over the years. That’s why, as well as support during the adoption process, we offer our adoptive families support after adoption for as long as it is needed, and whenever it is needed. The range of services available include advice, practical and emotional support, groups, therapeutic support, financial support and training. Find more about the support available to you and your child here.

There are several organisations that offer lots of useful advice and information around adoption.  Here are a few:

Adoption UK

Adoption UK is the only national charity run by and for adoptive parents and foster carers. It offers support before, during and after adoption.

0844 8487900 | www.adoptionuk.org

AFKA Cymru (Association for Fostering, Kinship and Adoption)

AFKA Cymru promotes good practice across the breadth of permanency planning for children and young people through training and consultancy.

029 20761155 or 01745 336336 | www.afacymru.org

New Family Social

New Family Social is the only UK charity led LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) adopters and foster carers.

0843 289 9457 | www.newfamilysocial.org.uk

You can apply for an Adoption Allowance in some cases, such as when an adoptive child needs special care or facilities to help them get the most out of life as they grow older. You might be able to access financial support if you plan to adopt siblings.

A Voluntary Adoption Agency is set up to work with prospective and approved adopters in the same way that the regional adoption service does. The VAA is not associated with the local authority, therefore unlike the regional adoption service they are not involved in making care plans for children in care. There are two VAAs n Wales, Barnardo’s and St David’s Adoption Service. Both agencies recruit and support adopters across the whole of Wales.

Yes. There are two Voluntary Adoption Agencies that assess potential adopters in Wales. You can visit the St David’s Children’s Society at www.adoptionwales.org or get in touch by phoning 029 20667007. You can visit Barnardo’s at www.barnardos.org.uk or get in touch by phoning 0800 054 6788.