Blogs Adoption

Am I too old to adopt?

There is no upper age limit for adopting a child. The only age-related stipulation for adoption is that you must be over 21 years old. We will need to see that you are in good health and likely to be able to support an adopted child into adulthood, but many people in their 40s and 50s have successfully adopted children.

Will my sexuality or gender affect my chances of adopting?

UK law allows adoption orders to be granted to same-sex couples and single people of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Bucks Adoption warmly welcomes adoption enquiries from couples and individuals, whether they are heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay or transgender.

Do I need to have finished infertility treatment to start my adoption journey?

To give yourself time to process your emotions and grieve, we advise you to take a six-month break in between the last fertility treatment and starting the adoption process. You are very welcome to attend one of our information sessions earlier.

I'm single - can I adopt?

We warmly welcome enquiries from single people of any gender - you don't need to be in a relationship to adopt. As part of the assessment process, we will discuss the support you have from your family, friends, neighbours and community.

Does it matter what my marital status is?

If you are a couple, it isn’t necessary for you to be married or in a civil partnership to adopt. We recommend that you and your partner have been a couple for at least three years and lived together for a minimum of one year, before beginning your adoption journey. You'll also need to demonstrate that you are in a stable, enduring and resilient relationship.

Can I adopt if I don't own my own home?

You don’t need to be a homeowner to adopt a child. As long as you have a stable rental agreement in the property you’re renting, you can apply to adopt.

You will need a spare bedroom for an adopted child so that they have a space which they can call their own. This is particularly helpful when adopting a slightly older child, as relationships with existing children in the family can take time to settle down.

Does it matter that I work full-time?

Being a full-time worker does not exclude you from becoming an adoptive parent. You (or your partner, if you are adopting as a couple) would be encouraged to take an extended period of adoption leave from work, to help your new child to feel safe, settled and secure in their new family.

We encourage adopters to think about how they will manage financially whilst taking time off work. People who are employed are entitled to paid adoption leave. However, those who are self-employed will have to consider how they will balance the need to work with providing a child with the stability they need when they move in to live with you

We are here to support you as you work through these considerations, so please talk to us about any concerns you have: [email protected]

Can I adopt if I am on benefits?

Being unemployed, on a low income or benefits does not automatically exclude you from becoming an adoptive parent. We'll discuss your financial situation and money-management abilities during the adoption assessment. Please be open with us - we will support and advise you.

Can I adopt if I already have birth children?

Having birth children does not prevent you from becoming an adoptive parent either. The age gap between your birth children and any prospective adoptive children will be considered, as will each child’s position within the family. Typically, adoption agencies would want an adopted child to be the youngest in the family by at least two years.

We will work closely with you to ensure that the needs of ALL the children involved are recognised.

Does it matter what my faith or religion is?

Adopters can be of any or no religious faith. Children who are waiting for adoption come from many different backgrounds, cultures and religions, and adoption agencies accordingly welcome adopters from all walks of life. Research has shown that people of faith can be particularly motivated by altruism and a wish to care for the vulnerable, which is a positive trait in adoption.

Can I adopt if my extended family live with me?

Living with extended family members can be a real bonus for adoptive parents, as they can offer valuable support. Extended family members will need to be included in the assessment process, and they must understand the unique needs of adopted children. They may be asked to attend training and be available when the child is introduced to the family for the first time.

Can I adopt if I have a mental health condition??

Having a mental health condition will not automatically rule you out from adopting. Any health issue, mental or physical, would need to be discussed during the assessment. All prospective adopters will have a medical in the early stages of the process which will help us understand your condition, any issues relating to your ability to adopt a child. It will also assess how well-supported you are by your family and friends.

Many people have short periods of depression, anxiety or stress in their lives and others have longer-term mental health conditions that are manageable. Our focus will always be to assess your ability to meet a child’s needs consistently and to consider how the stress of adopting a child will affect your mental health. Talk openly with us and we will support you, regardless of the decision we make.

Can I adopt if I have a disability?

Being disabled will NOT automatically exclude you from becoming an adoptive parent. Your medical assessment will consider any issues you may experience with parenting an adopted child. We recognise you may have specific experiences and understanding which would make you an ideal adoptive parent. Please talk to us before ruling yourself out.

Can I adopt if I am overweight?

Many adopters who are overweight successfully adopt children. However, we need to be sure that adopters will remain healthy and active enough to parent a child into adulthood and that the child will have a healthy lifestyle too.

The medical you have during the assessment will comment upon your lifestyle, BMI and any potential health implications. We guarantee that this will be discussed with you sensitively and respectfully.

Does a criminal record mean that I can't adopt?

As long as you have no convictions for offences against children or certain sexual offences against an adult, your application may still be considered. Talk to us first, be completely honest, and we will advise you further.

Once we're approved, is a child 'allocated' to us or do we have a say?

Your participation in finding the right child for you and your family is essential. It is in everyone’s best interests for adoption to be a success. We will work with you to ensure the best possible match for you, your family, and – most importantly – the adopted child.

Will we get any support once we have adopted?

Bucks Adoption offers lifelong support to its adoptive children and their families. Our adopters can access regular training workshops, we can put you in touch with other adopters and we offer a range of social events. There is also more specialised one-to-one support whenever it’s needed – from surgery appointments, through Theraplay sessions, to counselling. We’re here for you every step of the way.