When you adopt a child, you take on all the rights and responsibilities for the child that the birth parent had. It is the stability and security of family life that makes adoption such a positive option for children.
All sorts of people can make a success of adoption - it does not matter whether you are married or single, in or out of work. You can adopt irrespective of your race, religion or sexuality. Adopters do, however, need plenty of patience, humour and energy. All children are demanding in some way, and you need to be determined to give a child the sort of support that will really make a difference to their lives.
Adopters need to be over the age of 21, but there is no upper age limit. The most important consideration is whether or not you are able to provide a stable home for a child until adulthood and beyond. People of all ages can, and do, successfully adopt.
There are very few people who cannot adopt - people who have committed certain serious criminal offences (including crimes against children or violent offences).
Children and Young People's Services is part of an organisation, Adoption 22. Within this organisation we pool our adoption resources with 23 other Local Authorities and 2 Voluntary Agencies.
We welcome applications from a wide range of people, whatever their personal circumstances.
