Adoption – Patient Information
Created by Dr Eleanor Gibbs
What is adoption?
Adoption is bringing a child into your family through the legal process of transferring parental responsibility. After applying for adoption, prospective parents are assessed, and then matched with children, before application through the court system.
How to arrange adoption?
Adoption within the UK is arranged through regional adoption agencies or local authorities, typically taking six to eight months for background checks before matching begins. The only fees involved in UK adoption are court fees, around £200.
It is also possible to adopt children from other countries, also through inter country adoption agencies.
Resources
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/adopt/london-south-east-england
https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/fostering-and-adoption
https://www.essex.gov.uk/children-young-people-and-families/adoption
