Frequently Asked Questions
A range of new free factsheets are now available for your LGBT adopters. Written with the help of volunteers and Adoption Plus, they cover topics including adoption basics, approaching assessment, approaching the matching process and school. Adopters can download them from the NFS website.
No, the experience that you have already gained in parenting children can be valuable. However if you have birth children, we would expect your youngest child to be at least four years of age before you start the adoption process.
An adopted child should always be the youngest child, with at least a two year age gap between them. Research has shown this approach has the most positive outcomes in adoption. We will generally want to meet any children not living with you, including grown up children, and to talk to them about your plans to adopt.
The children we place for adoption have experienced loss and instability therefore they need their parents to be available for them. They would not thrive with substitute carers, childminders or day nurseries.
Most people are entitled to adoption leave for 12 months and employers are often sympathetic to requests for part-time hours. For some children, returning to work after adoption leave would not be appropriate but this will be discussed with you. Under some circumstances for a limited number of children there are some means-tested allowances available to help if finance is a problem.
Additional useful information
To apply for the pack complete the online form or call 0800 731 0171.
First4Adoption is a dedicated information service that provides lots of guidance and for people considering adoption.
We are registered with New Family Social (NFS) which is the UK network for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) adoptive and foster families. You can join NFS to share advice and support online, and to find others near you to share your journey

If you would like to find out more or are ready to begin your adoption journey then we would love to hear from you today.

There are two stages in the process of adoption which we aim to complete within six months – find out more about the adoption journey.

Follow your progress, upload essential documents and keep in touch with your Social Worker with our Members Area.