Getting started
If you think you'd like to adopt a child, get in touch. Our contact details are at the top of this page.
Adoption might seem daunting but we can help to answer your questions and talk you through the possibilities. Our experienced adoption workers will give you as much time as you need to understand more about adoption and decide if it's what you want to do.
There's no obligation of course. We look forward to hearing from you.
Before you begin the adoption process you will be assessed and given guidance on understanding the needs of the children waiting to be adopted. Becoming approved to adopt can take around nine months.
Who can adopt?
There’s very little to prevent people adopting as long as they are in good health. You have to be over 21 and there is no upper age limit. People with disabilities will be given the same consideration as those without.
Your sexuality is not an issue. We have several gay adopters and we are always keen to hear from gay people looking to adopt.
Read Linda's adoption story.
Criminal record
Obviously we would not place a child for adoption with anyone who has a serious criminal record or anyone who has committed offences against children, but otherwise there aren't many barriers.
Smoking
If you smoke this will not automatically prevent you from being considered as a prospective adopter but we would discuss this with you. However it is unlikely we would consider you for a child under five years old or with certain medical conditions.
Please note that we will prioritise applications from people who want to take harder to place children, ie those over five, black children of any age, or groups of brothers and sisters. This may lead to some delay for adopters wanting to adopt younger children.
If you think you would prefer to foster a child see our fostering information.
Assessment process
Every prospective adopter will go through a thorough assessment process.
This helps to prepare people as best we can to become adopters. You will be asked to:
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answer any questions we might have and co-operate with us during any checks we have to make, such as medicals and police checks
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have regular meetings in your home with an adoption worker who will work very closely with you throughout the process
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come to group sessions with other prospective adopters and learn from existing adopters’ experiences.
Once you have been approved to adopt a child, we'll discuss children we think might be right for you - you will be fully involved in this process.
Adopting a child is a major decision and has a big impact on your life, which is why we spend an enormous amount of effort preparing you so that you know exactly what is involved.
Throughout the process, you always have the element of choice - how many children, their ages, their gender, what level of special needs you can handle and so on. Of course, you can pull out at any stage, but the thoroughness of the preparation process we take you through should mean that you will know early on whether adoption is for you or not.
Adopting a child who knows you
We have leaflets available that can advise you on the possibilities for adopting step-children, children who are related to you, children who have been privately fostered by you, and other similar circumstances. Please contact your local fostering team to request leaflets.
If the child you are interested in adopting is looked after by Nottinghamshire County Council, please contact the child's social worker.
Adopting children from overseas
Anyone in Nottinghamshire wanting to adopt from abroad should contact the Doncaster Adoption and Family Welfare Society on tel: 01302 349 909. You may also find it helpful to visit the Intercountry Adoption Centre's website: www.icacentre.org.uk/.
