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Tel: 0113 388 5400
Fax: 0113 388 5401
Email: info@catholic-care.org.uk
Who can adopt?
There is no such thing as the 'ideal' adoptive family. Children placed for adoption have a number of needs and a variety of families are required to care for them. Adopters are needed from all cultural backgrounds regardless of their income level and religious persuasion. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age. Families who already have birth children can also adopt.
I already have a family - can I still adopt?
Yes. However, there should be at least 2 years, or preferably more, between the age of the birth child and the child adopted.
I'm not married - can I adopt?
Yes you can. Adopters may be single or married.
I am working - can I still adopt?
Yes you can. You don't have to be employed to adopt. You can also adopt if you work part-time or full-time. However, it is important that you can provide the time and the space necessary to meet the child's needs.
Am I too old to adopt?
There is no upper age limit. The key question we will ask is - can you provide a safe and stable home for a child until adulthood and beyond? People of all ages can, and do, successfully adopt. Your age and health might have a bearing on the age and needs of the children we agree you are able to adopt. It is recommended that there should not be more than 45 years between the age of the youngest child and the youngest adoptive parent.
What if I smoke?
You can still adopt if you are a smoker, but the level of your smoking is something we will take into account. We may not place a young child or a child who has asthma with you if you smoke. An Adoption Worker will talk this over with you.
The BAAF medical advice is that a child under 5yrs or with a disability should not be placed in a household with a smoker
What if I am over-weight?
Being a bit overweight won't stop you adopting a child. It's only a problem if you are dangerously overweight and your doctor thinks this poses a threat to your health. All prospective adopters need to have a medical to be sure they are fit enough for the task.
I have a disability - can I adopt?
Yes you can. However, all adoption applicants are asked to have a medical as part of the assessment process. This is to ensure that you have the physical ability to care for a child. If you are disabled our Medical Advisor will make recommendations on your suitability to care for a child.
Can I adopt if I have a criminal conviction?
Yes you can. However, it does depend on the type of offence that has been committed. We recommend that you discuss any concerns you have with our assessing Social Worker at the earliest stage possible in your application.
Certain convictions automatically prevent approval as an adopter, these being offences against children or violence. Other offences will be considered within the assessment and advice from a senior manager of the organisation sought.
I rent the house I live in - can I still adopt?
Yes you can. You can adopt if you live in rented accommodation or own your own home. It is important that you have a spare room for the use of the child.
What if I have had fertility treatment?
With regards to fertility treatment, we would prefer applicants to have completed all investigations and treatment prior to making an application to adopt. Couples who are unsuccessful with this treatment need to have a period of adjustment in their lives before contemplating adoption. Trying to cope emotionally with both processes at the same time is inadvisable.
In our experience it is usually helpful to wait at least six months from the end of your fertility treatment, before starting the adoption process. Of course you are very welcome to contact us, ask for information and discuss issues with us during that period.
How long does the pre-adoption process take?
New standards for adoption say the process - from your formal application to being approved as a prospective adoptive parent - should take no more than 8 months. As a service we strive to meet this standard. However, sometimes, for good reasons, an assessment may take slightly longer. We will always talk to you about this. Once you are approved, the process of matching you to a suitable child can take from a couple of weeks to over a year. For more details about the process, see our leaflet ‘Adoption - Step-by-Step'.
How an adoption is made legal?
Some time after the child comes to live with you and provided everyone is happy that her/his needs are being met by you, the court will make an Adoption Order. An Adoption Order ends all legal ties the child has with the birth family. The child takes your surname and becomes a full member of your family.
What support will I receive the adoption process is completed?
We know that adopting a child can present many challenges to parents, their own birth children and to the children who have become part of a new family. Our after adoption service exists to support you and we offer a commitment to stand by you through the difficult and joyful times ahead.
What rights do birth parents have after adoption?
Once an Adoption Order has been made, the birth parents have no legal rights over the child and cannot claim him or her back. Very occasionally the Court makes a Contact Order - see next question.
Will a child have ongoing contact with their birth family?
A "letter box contact" with birth parents and Grandparents is often encouraged if it is felt to be in the best interest of the child , as adopted people have said that this had helped them come to terms with their lives. Direct Contact with birth siblings, where this would not endanger the adoption is often recommended and occasional contact with birth parents does occur if this is felt to be best for the child.
This is something we will discuss with you before a child comes to live with you. An agreement will be reached with you and others involved including the child's Social Worker. In certain situations it may be decided that it is very important for the child to have some ongoing face-to-face contact with someone in their birth family and we would work out with you how to make this positive for everyone involved.
In rare situations a Contact Order will be made by the Court. We will talk more to you about these issues during the preparation and assessment session.
Can I change the child's name?
It is only normally advised to change a child's name given by birth parents if by not it could create ongoing protection fears due to it be unusual and detection therefore made easy or that it is a name that may leave the child open to ridicule. Research suggests that a persons name is an important part of their identity and heritage and should not be changed.
Catholic Care acts to support those in need of its services, especiallly the weak and the vunerable and it acts as an advocate for those unable to represent themselves
The primary purpose of the agency is to foster and influence a vision of how people can live together in Christian charity, love and justice, by taking the "Caring Church into the Community
