I would like to adopt a child
Why should I apply to adopt through Childlink?
Voluntary agencies have specialist experience in adoption. Some applicants also prefer to adopt through a charity rather than a local authority.
Childlink offers:
- a friendly and personal approach throughout the adoption process and beyond
- excellent preparation
- responsive support
- a skilled and diverse team
- years of experience in placing children successfully for adoption
- a wide recruitment area and links with local authorities across the UK
What is Childlink's role in the adoption process?
Our main activity is finding families for children in local authority care who are waiting to be adopted. We:
- prepare applicants for the realities of adoption
- assess and approve prospective adopters
- offer our families for suitable children waiting to be adopted
- provide intensive support to our adopters after children come to live with them
We also provide an adoption support service for our adoptive families after legal adoption - click on 'I am an adoptive parent' for more information.
Would Childlink consider my interest?
We welcome enquiries from people who:
- live in or near Greater London
- are over 21
- are normally not more than 45 years older than the child they hope to adopt
- are either single or a couple
- are of any faith or have no religious beliefs
- are of any ethnic heritage
- are already parents or are childless
Does Childlink have priorities in recruiting adopters?
Voluntary adoption agencies specialise in placing children for whom the local authorities have no approved adopters. They include:
- white children of school age
- babies and children of Black, Asian Muslim and multiple ethnic heritage
- sibling groups
- children with special needs
We are particularly keen to recruit adopters for children of these profiles.
Will I have to pay any fees?
We do not charge prospective adopters for the work we do with them, but we will ask you to cover the cost of your medical examination and possibly for other checks.
Childlink is a voluntary agency and we are grateful for support - either financial or in kind.
What should I do if I want to go ahead?
Read our Steps to Adoption which will 'walk you through' the process of adopting through Childlink. Then fill in and send the preliminary adoption enquiry form and we will post you more information.
Other useful sites may be:
BAAF Adoption & Fostering
www.baaf.org.ukThis website is packed with information about adoption and fostering. BAAF staff also provide information and advice about adoption, as well as stocking leaflets and books of interest to adopters.
Adoption UK
www.adoptionuk.orgRun by and for adopters, Adoption UK offers information and support to adopters at every stage in the process. They also publish a regular newsletter and organise local meetings and events around the country.
Central Government
www.direct.gov.uk/parents/adoptionandfosteringThis site provides information about adoption in the UK including the law, the process and how to get started.