Adoption@Heart believes that all children have the right to a loving, safe and stable family life. We want to encourage as many people as possible to come forward as potential adopters to help make this difference to a child’s life.

It is also important to think about why you want to be a parent, what you can offer a child and what you hope to gain through adoption.

The right time for you is when you are ready to adopt. We would ask you to consider the following factors when making your decision:

Your home environment

As part of the process of getting started with adoption, one of our specialist adoption social workers will come and visit you in your home.

You don't have to be a homeowner, but you do need to be settled in your home e.g. secure tenancy; affordable mortgage, and it must be safe for a child to live in. You will be considered for adoption if you are happy to make space in your life and home for a child and can provide a stable and loving environment. Local authorities would normally expect you to have a spare bedroom.

Existing family

Your children’s needs and their attitude to the adoption would need to be considered. This includes considering the children living with you, as well as those who live with a previous partner. You should also consider that children placed for adoption would usually be younger than any children already in the family.

Your finances

Children need security and stability, and they need you to be available for them. Financial difficulties will impact on your ability to parent. It is important that you manage your finances well and can adapt to the financial demands arising from parenting, for example, a reduction in income if your working hours need to be reduced.

If you have any queries at all about starting the adoption process, please contact us and we'll be very happy to help you with them.