Adoption process

Getting in touch to say you are considering adoption can feel like a big step to take, but there’s nothing to worry about.

This is an opportunity for you to find out more about adoption and the application process, to help you decide if adoption is something that you want to pursue. At this stage you are not making any commitments. A member of our team will talk you through the adoption process, answer any questions you may have and ask you a few questions about yourself and your motivation to adopt.

If you want to speak to someone near you about adoption, you can contact your local adoption team.

You can fill in our adoption enquiry form and one of our friendly adoption experts will call you back within two working days.

Alternatively, you can call us on 0800 0277 280 Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

That conversation will probably give you a lot to think about. If, after you’ve had time to reflect, you decide to continue, our team will ask you to complete a Registration of Interest (ROI) form to so you can move onto the next stage of the process. You’ll also need to complete a consent form that allows us to do a few checks and references.​​​​

Background checks

In Stage 1 we’ll cover all the statutory checks; these include police, medical and financial checks as well as gathering references and anything else required. You’ll also be asked to complete a document called a Workbook - this is a tool to help you reflect on your motivations, values and lifestyle to help you prepare for Stage 2.

The preparation course

We’ll invite you to a preparation course, either online or in-person, to explore all the benefits and challenges of adoption. During the course, you’ll cover special skills adoptive parents need to care for children who may have experienced neglect and abuse. You’ll also get the chance to meet existing adoptive parents and more of our team who will support you and any children you may adopt.  

Find out more about the support we offer adoptive parents.

The preparation course takes place over three or four days, going over both stages of the process. It might be held online or in-person and runs multiple times a year. If you are a couple, then you both must attend.

We know that the Stage 1 process, and Stage 2 assessment that comes afterwards, can sometimes feel overwhelming and intrusive, but it’s really important they are thorough as it’s crucial we place children in safe and loving homes. We’ll be there to support you throughout. Stage 1 and 2 will also play an important role in helping you feel confident and equipped to handle all aspects of adoption.

The next stage is an assessment period. You’ll be allocated a social worker who will get to know you and your family, as well as some of your wider social circles and referees. They will spend time helping you to think about the strengths you could bring to adoptive parenting.

• Your relationships: All children and young people deserve to live in a loving, happy and stable home. That’s why if you’re in a relationship, we’ll ask you some questions to get to know you better. In addition, if you’ve got children already, we’ll work together to explore the right age group for you to adopt to suit your family life. We’ll want to get to know your children and their feelings about gaining a brother or sister. We always aim to create an open and friendly opportunity to speak between you and your children, to resolve any doubts and answer questions they might have. We also appreciate the chance to see your children by themselves so they can talk openly about their feelings.
• Your health: You’ll need to go through a full medical assessment with your GP who will submit a report to one of our Medical Advisors.

Your social worker will later write an assessment report for the Adoption Panel based on the information gathered in both stages. You’ll receive a copy and have the chance to comment on it.

The Adoption Panel is made up of adoption and childcare professionals as well as members with personal experience of adoption. It’s chaired by somebody independent of Barnardo’s with experience in adoption. The Panel will meet to consider all the information presented to them and then make a recommendation on your suitability to adopt. You will be invited to attend the panel. This might seem daunting but we’ll make sure you feel prepared and supported throughout.

The Adoption Panel’s recommendation is sent to our Agency Decision Maker, who will decide if you’re suitable to adopt. The decision maker is a senior member of our team who has the legal responsibility to make an approval decision. Once you have been approved, you will then be a prospective adopter. We’ll then work with you to identify a child, or children, who might be an appropriate match for you and your family.