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Published: 22nd October 2025
Adoption is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take – for both you and the child you welcome into your family. It’s about offering love, stability and a home where they can truly thrive. At the same time, it’s a big decision. Adoption needs careful thought, preparation and commitment.
In this article, we provide an overview of what adoption in the UK involves, from thinking about your reasons for adopting, to understanding the process, the legal framework and the wide range of support available. Feeling informed and supported, as you explore whether adoption is the right path for you, will ensure you take your first steps with confidence.
In England and Wales, adoption is governed by the Adoption and Children Act 2002. This act updated the law to ensure that a child’s welfare is always the paramount consideration and widened access to adoption, while strengthening support and safeguards for children and adoptive families.
The process is designed to make sure that every child is placed with the right family for their long-term well-being. In the UK, adoption is never a private arrangement between individuals – all adoptions must go through either a local authority (LA), a registered adoption agency (RAA) or an independent Voluntary Adoption Agency (VAA), with oversight from the courts.
While the law provides the framework to make sure adoption is always in a child’s best interests, the decision to adopt always begins with you.
It’s a common misconception that only certain types of people can adopt. UK adoption law is inclusive:
● Age: You must be at least 21, with no upper age limit – though agencies will consider your health and ability to parent long-term.
● Relationship status: Single people, married couples, civil partners and unmarried couples can all adopt.
● Sexuality: People of all sexualities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and couples, can adopt.
● Employment: You don’t need to own your home or have a certain level of income. What matters is your ability to provide stability, love and a safe environment.
Before making an application, it’s vital to begin with research. Thankfully, there’s a wealth of information and support available for prospective adopters – and this article is a great place to start!
You can:
● explore reputable websites
● listen to podcasts
● connect with people who’ve already been through adoption
Hearing from experienced adopters and adoptees can give you a real sense of the challenges and rewards ahead. We’ve listed some of the best resources at the end of this article, but it’s useful to begin by getting familiar with the language.
The charity Adoption UK provides a helpful Guide to Adoption Terminology, which will help you make sense of the terms and phrases you’re likely to come across.
Once you’ve done some early research, ask yourself:
● Why do I want to adopt a child?
● What kind of child could I best support with my skills, experience and lifestyle?
For example, if you’ve worked with children who have additional needs, you could be well-placed to support a child with learning difficulties. Or if you thrive in a lively family setting, you may consider adopting siblings who need to stay together.
For many people, adoption follows an infertility journey. Perhaps you’ve undergone unsuccessful IVF treatment and are considering adoption as another route to parenthood.
Most agencies will ask for a period of around six months after fertility treatment to ensure you’ve had space to grieve and process the experience. The decision to adopt should feel positive and not be made while still in the depths of loss.
Irrespective of their ages, the children can sometimes come from difficult backgrounds where they’ve experienced neglect, abuse or exposure to drug and alcohol misuse.
There’s a common perception that adopting a very young baby means it will be easier for you and the baby. But research shows that trauma ‘in utero’ (experiences that affect a baby while still in the womb), can influence a child’s development even before they are born.
● high stress or fear experienced by the birth mother
● poor nutrition during pregnancy
● use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy
Every child and every adoption journey will be unique and not all these types of challenges are inevitable.
There are also many things you can do to prepare, adjust, and help your child to thrive:
● Undertake training: This will help you to build resilience, so you can welcome a child as they truly are and support their development.
● Be patient and consistent: Attachment issues can mean a child struggles to feel safe or connected at first. Building trust with children who have experienced trauma takes time.
● Lean on support networks: Family, friends and local groups will provide practical help and emotional support.
● Be ready to adjust your lifestyle: Like all parents, adopters must adapt their routines – adjusting work commitments, social lives and finances to meet the demands of day-to-day parenting.
● Talk openly about identity and adoption: Be honest and sensitive when discussing your child’s adoption story and sense of identity. Open communication builds trust and a feeling of security.
From first enquiry to Adoption Order, the whole process can take 9–18 months. Patience and flexibility are essential and knowing the stages and timeframes will help you feel more in control.
1. Initial enquiry and introductory meetings: Contact your local authority or agency to express your interest.
2. Information session: You’ll be invited to an event to learn more.
3. Application: If you wish to proceed, you apply.
4. Standard eligibility checks.
1. Preparation training: You attend classes to learn about the needs of children and the realities of adoption.
2. Police checks and clearances: You will not be allowed to adopt if you, or an adult member of your family, have been convicted of a serious offence.
3. References: 3 referees must give you a personal reference; one can be a relative.
4. Full medical examination
5. Social workers – home visits, discussions and in-depth interviews: These then inform a written report.
6. Approval panel: Your application is considered by a panel, who make a recommendation.
7. Matching: If you’re successful, the agency works to match you with a child (or children).
8. Placement: The child comes to live with you, initially under a Placement Order.
9. Adoption order: After a settling-in period, you apply to the family court for an adoption order, which makes the child a permanent, legal member of your family.
If an agency says you cannot adopt, and you disagree, you can challenge their decision in writing or apply to the Independent Review Mechanism which will look into your case.
The final stage involves applying to the court for an Adoption Order to gain full parental rights and responsibilities. If you’re adopting more than one child, each will require a separate application.
The process varies depending on the type of adoption too – adopting a stepchild, a child from overseas or a child already living with you under a placement order – as each has slightly different requirements. Generally, the child must usually have lived with you for a period of time before you can apply.
Many families find it helpful to seek legal advice at this stage. A family law solicitor can:
● explain the process
● help prepare your application
● liaise with the court to provide reassurance that everything is in order
In parallel, your social worker and adoption agency will provide support and guidance. This combined approach allows you to focus on welcoming your child into your family.
Once the order is granted, the focus shifts to settling into family life together. The order makes the adoption permanent, severs legal ties with the birth family, and gives you, the adoptive parent/s, full legal parental responsibility for the child, just as if they were your biological child.
The Adoption Order is final and cannot be overturned – once it has been granted, the child is issued with a new birth certificate which carries the name/s of the adoptive parent/s.
The court will also decide if it’s appropriate for the birth parents to have any contact with the child, or receive information about them. If needed, they can make an order preventing contact between the child and certain people, including the birth parents.
Adoption can be a complicated process and it is a good idea to seek legal advice at an early stage.
For children needing new families and adults ready to welcome them, adoption can be life-changing. It’s a lifelong commitment with both joys and challenges.
If you’re considering adoption, do your research beforehand, take time to reflect, and lean on the support available – from social workers to support groups, there are people and organisations ready to walk this journey with you.
Our team at K J Smith Solicitors can answer your questions and guide you through the legal steps to secure your Adoption Order. We offer a free 45-minute consultation so that you can begin to expand your family with consideration and confidence.
There’s a wealth of guidance and support available, so we’ve outlined some of the best places to start your research:
● Adoption UK – Offers information, peer support, training and advocacy alongside specific support for prospective adopters. It provides a wealth of useful articles, podcasts and webinars.
● The Family Matters Podcast – Episode 1: Thinking About Adopting? Here’s What you Need to Know.
● Local groups and online communities also provide invaluable peer support. There are a number of popular Facebook groups, including ones for prospective adopters and single adopters.
● PAC-UK – Part of Family Action, PAC-UK is the UK’s largest independent adoption support agency. They offer an advice line, individual counselling and courses designed especially for prospective adopters.
● Preparing for Adoption by Julia Davis & Adoptionplus – An ideal first read for prospective adopters.
● Adopting a Child: The Definitive Guide to Adoption in the UK by Jenifer Lord – Covers the types of children needing adoption, what agencies look for, legal process and life after adoption.
● Adoptionplus curates a wider reading list – a valuable source of further learning.
● Government Child Adoption Guidance – Official guidance on eligibility, assessment, adoption agencies, overseas adoptions and birth parent rights. Includes info on adoption pay and the Adoption Support Fund.
● You Can Adopt – A hub of practical resources covering everything from assessment to support. It also provides a helpful agency search tool.
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