Who can adopt?

Adopters come from all walks of life. You need to be over 21 years old and to be able to look after a child until they become an adult and ideally be there to support them beyond this point.

You can be single, in a civil partnership, married or co-habiting; heterosexual or a member of the LGBTQ+ community - all applications are very welcome and treated equally.

You can adopt whether you rent or own your own home, as long as you have stable living arrangements and the space to accommodate a child.

Being in employment is also not a requirement to adopt a child, but if you are working you will need to take some time off as ‘adoption leave’ once the child has been placed with you. What takes priority is that you have the energy and commitment to love and care for children.

Whether you have no children, have children living at home or adult children who have moved away, it makes no difference. If your child is very young we can advise you about the timing of an application.