Adoption criteria
Almost anyone can apply to adopt, and we welcome everyone who has an interest in adopting to give us a call on 0300 300 8090. Our telephone enquiry service runs from 10am – 4:30pm Monday to Thursday and 10am - 4pm on Friday. We provide an open, honest and non-judgmental service and want to give you as much information as possible.
We are also happy to call you and you can request a call back by emailing enquiries@adoptionconnects.co.uk.
Am I eligible to adopt?
you will need to be over 21 years of age
you will need to be financially able to provide for the child’s needs. If you are a couple and you both work, this includes one parent taking time from work in the first year to settle your child into your family
you don’t have to be a British Citizen to adopt, but we do ask that you (or your partner, if you are a couple) must have a fixed and permanent home in the UK, Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. We also ask that you (and your partner, if you are a couple) must have lived in the UK for at least 1 year before you apply
if you or anyone sharing your home has convictions for sexual offences or crimes against children we will not be able to proceed with your enquiry.
We’ll also ask you to consider if you are able and willing to:
put the child and their needs first and foremost in all decisions affecting their welfare
provide a loving, calm and emotionally stable environment for a child
have a healthy lifestyle and be fit enough to keep children safe and to care and play with them as they grow. It’s also important that you will be able to support them through to their adulthood
provide a safe and stable home with room for your child to play and sleep comfortably
to respect the child’s birth families, culture and family origins as an important part of the child’s life and identity. To provide information to them as they grow up to help them build a picture and have an understanding of their early life
have family, friends and a community who will support you and welcome your child.
#YouCanAdopt
There are many myths and misconceptions around who can and cannot adopt, we would like to encourage anyone considering adoption to get in touch for an informal chat. We welcome enquiries from:
people from all ethnic origins and religions
single people or couples (you don’t have to be married to adopt)
people or families without children of their own
people or families with children of their own
people from the LGBT+ community
people with a disability.
If you have a criminal record this will not automatically rule you out, we’ll just need to carefully look into this and discuss this with you. People who have a criminal conviction of any offence against children or who are known to have harmed children or anyone who lives in a household with a person aged 18 or over who has been convicted of an offence against children or cautioned (and admitted the offence) cannot adopt.
Visit our myth busting page to find out more.
Start your adoption journey today and get in touch
Call us on 0300 300 8090
Message us through our contact form
Create a personalised adoption plan to see if you are ready to adopt