How would you go about it?

First you contact an adoption agency; either your local authority adoption team or an approved voluntary agency (try looking in yellow pages or visiting BAAF's agency database). The process that follows will include a thorough assessment and some training - often in preparation groups along with other prospective adopters - to give you the confidence you need to become an to become an adoptive parent.

1. The agency of your choice will provide all the information and advice you need to work out whether or not you want to go ahead and make a formal written application.
2. Your assessment will involve training, visits from a social worker, the provision of references and a series of official checks, such as criminal records and medical. It will result in a written report compiled by your social worker.
3. Your assessment report will be presented to an adoption panel at a meeting you should be invited to attend. 94% of people who come this far are approved to become adopters.
4. You can search for a child in family-finding publications such as Be My Parent by liaising with your local authority and seeking referral to the Adoption Register for England and Wales or other linking services.
5. When a possible match is identified, you will be given more information about the child in question. This is an exciting moment, but it might take more time before a child is placed with you.
6. When everyone, including the child (if they are old enough to be consulted), agrees to the match, all the paperwork will be presented to the adoption panel. If approval is given, adoption support will also be discussed and you will be advised about how you and your adopted child can get access to the help that you need. If your adoption is arranged through a voluntary adoption agency, they will advise you. Support might include information, advice, counselling, support groups, or, sometimes, means-tested financial assistance.
7. Introducing a child to your family and helping them to feel comfortable takes time, so talk to everyone who has been closely involved; from foster carers, teachers and doctors to health visitors and social workers.
8. When everyone is happy, you can take the child home. This is the moment you have been waiting for. It is perfectly normal to find it as exhausting as it is exhilarating.
9. If everyone agrees the placement is working after 10 to 13 weeks (longer if the child is older) you can apply to the court to make the adoption legal and permanent.
10. The key to building a strong family is accepting help from friends, family, other adopters, counsellors, social workers and adoption agencies; and remembering you are not alone!

It might take anything from six to eighteen months to progress from initial enquiry to being matched with a child; and sometimes, finding a child who really fits into your family and your life can take longer.

Would I get any help?

Adoptive families often need extra support at the start of their new life together or later on. The services available include advice and information, counselling, financial support and help with getting benefits. Just like any parent, you will be expected to meet the general costs of caring for a child. Sometimes though, means-tested financial assistance is given to families caring for a child with particular needs, or to help make it possible for siblings to stay together.

Maybe it’s time to find out more

To find out how to get in touch with your local authority adoption team or an approved voluntary agency.