We understand that choosing to adopt is not a decision that you will make quickly or easily. We hope that the information provided will inform you sufficiently to take the next step. We will assist you through every step of the process, answering your questions and giving guidance to ensure that you make the right decision.

Cheshire County Council recognises that adoption is a lifelong process and there may be times even after the Adoption Order has been made that you may need advice, information or support. We have experienced and dedicated social workers who can work out with you what support may be needed and can advise where to seek further support where this is required.

We like to recruit a diverse range of adopters because the children who need an adoptive family also are of differing ages and have different needs. We are particularly keen to recruit adopters who could consider adopting children of school age, brothers and sisters together, children of mixed ethnicity and for children with learning and / or physical disabilities. We sometimes need adoptive families for young children and babies, some of whom may have a disability.

Our priority is to ensure we can find the right families for the children from Cheshire who need to be adopted. Here’s what 2 of our adopters have said:

John, an adoptive parent says:

"Some people think that it takes a special person to adopt a child. But I think there is one special attribute that you need more than anything else and that's patience. Because it's not the same as looking after your own children, if you have them. There will be challenges but in life if there aren't challenges - there aren't the same rewards. And it's overcoming those challenges that give you a reward that probably you wouldn't find in any other way in life".

Christine and Pete had no children of their own and were approved to adopt by Cheshire’s Adoption Team.

After approval, six year old James was placed with them. James has a statement of Special Educational Needs for behavioural difficulties and the Education Support team has been able to give considerable assistance in helping him transfer to his new school. James’ behaviour has improved markedly in the 6 months that he has lived with his new family, which is giving him the chance of making and keeping friends. He has understandably been very anxious and clinging and needed a lot of reassurance but is now feeling much more settled and excited about his approaching adoption day.

Christine has taken a year's adoption leave from work, even though James is at school and has found it essential to have time to attend educational and social work meetings as well as keeping the household running smoothly.

Christine and Pete have met James' birth mother and his younger brother who is placed separately. They will be supporting James to meet his family members from time to time. It has been beneficial to James to know that seeing his birth family will not affect his security and happiness in his adoptive home. James also keeps in touch with his foster mum, who looked after him for 2 years and is still an important person in his life.

Although the last 6 months have been challenging and demanding they have also brought happiness. Christine and Pete certainly feel it has all been worthwhile. They say: “Looking after James has been both rewarding and challenging. His behaviour has settled down, however every new event in the family (birthdays, weddings, holidays) still makes him anxious. At these times the support networks put in place by Cheshire’s Adoption Service have been useful and beneficial for all involved.

James is developing into a lovely little boy and fits into our family very well.”

Every adopter receives pre-approval preparation during their assessment period. This is designed to provide you as a prospective adopter with the knowledge and information that you require to gain a realistic picture of what's involved in adopting a child or children.

In Cheshire, we are supporting the Government's ‘Every Child Matters’ agenda - that whatever the child’s background or their circumstances, they should have the support they need to:

- Be healthy

- Stay safe

- Enjoy and achieve

- Make a positive contribution

- Achieve economic well-being

As an adopter we will prepare and support you to achieve these aims for the adopted child. Like any parent, as an adopter you'll provide a warm and loving family. You will also offer tolerance, patience and flexibility to help your adopted child develop physically, socially and emotionally. Most of all, the child will need your individual attention and time and for you to understand the difficulties which may stem from past experiences. A good sense of humour can also be an asset!

Every child will need your ongoing support to help them in knowing about their birth family and why they were adopted. Increasingly, adopted children have ongoing contact with their birth family, if it is best for the child. Children may have occasional meetings with their birth family, or contact may be through exchange of letters or photographs facilitated by the Adoption Service, usually once or twice a year. During their childhood, their understanding of the adoption will change and develop and their need to understand their roots may continue into adulthood. From the age of 18, they can apply for their original birth certificate and they also have the legal right to pursue their own enquiries about their adoption.

There are 4 key stages in becoming an approved adopter:

1. Your initial enquiry followed up by a home visit by a social worker from the Adoption Team.

This visit can tell you more about adoption and is one of your opportunities to ask lots of questions!

2. Your formal application to become an adopter, the statutory checks and the preparation groups.

The preparation groups, as well as giving you more detailed information about what adoption entails, also gives you an opportunity to meet others who are wanting to adopt, as well as some experienced adopters who help us run the groups.

3. The visits to your home by a social worker to complete the ‘Prospective Adopters’ Report’.

The report will cover such information as the type of family life you will be able to offer a child, your views on bringing up children and how your own background may have influenced who you are today. It will also look into the possible attributes of the child who may fit into your family.

4. The Adoption Panel and the decision about approval.

The Adoption Panel is made up of independent members who have interest and knowledge about adoption, such as an adoptive parent and an adopted person as well as two social workers from Cheshire County Council. The members will have read the Prospective Adopters’ Report and will make a recommendation on your suitability to adopt. You are invited to attend the Adoption Panel both to ask and answer any questions. The County Manager then makes a decision about approval, taking into account the Adoption Panel’s recommendation.

We aim to complete the process from the receipt of your formal application to the approval within 8 months.

It is unlikely that a child will be placed with you immediately. However, your Adoption Worker will keep in touch with you and let you know about children who need families. The average length of waiting time is 6 months between approval and being ‘matched’ to a child. It is not a question of who is at the top of the list, but which family best "fits" with the needs of each individual child or sibling group. Once you have been provisionally linked with a child or children, the Adoption Panel has to recommend whether you are the right family for that particular child.

Once you have become an approved adopter, your Adoption Worker will keep in regular touch with you and your family. You'll be invited to training sessions to keep up to date with various aspects of adoption. When you are 'matched' with a child and they come to live with you, you will receive ongoing support until the Adoption Order is made and afterwards if it is needed. This may include some financial support, depending on yours and the child's circumstances. Your Adoption Worker can give you more details. Bringing up an adopted child is not always easy and from time to time you may need support or advice. Cheshire County Council offers locally based support groups for adoptive parents

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I adopt if...

I am over 40 or older?

Yes. We do not operate an upper age limit, but you would need to be fit and healthy enough to see a child in your care safely into adult life. The youngest age at which you can adopt is 21.

Yes. Single people can adopt a child. Unmarried couples can also adopt, including same gender couples.

Yes. We approve people from every walk of life regardless of working or financial status.

Yes. As long as you can provide space and time to meet the children's needs. This is especially important when the children are young and for all children in the early stages of an adoptive placement. There is now statutory adoption pay and adoption leave. You can find out more by looking on the government website and searching on adoption.

Yes. You need to show that you have enough room to care for a child or children, in a safe and secure environment, whether you rent or own your home.

Yes. The County Council is firmly committed to equality of opportunity and therefore we are primarily interested in the skills and ability that you have to offer and not your sexuality.

Yes. Everyone who applies to adopt will need a health assessment as part of the approval process to make sure that they have the ability to care for a child. If you are disabled or have a medical condition, our Medical Adviser will take these factors into consideration and make recommendations on your suitability.

Yes. But you will not be able to adopt a child under three years of age and this guideline is currently under review. We have a responsibility to protect children from exposure to second hand smoke and we have to balance the positive elements of any adoptive placement against the negative impact of smoking.

Yes. People who have a criminal record or have been cautioned can adopt a child. Much depends on the seriousness of the offence, how long ago since the crime was committed and how you have lived your life since. People with convictions for violent or sexual offences against children cannot adopt.

Yes. Your own children would be included in the approval process too, as they are so important in the family. In adoption, we usually advise a minimum age gap of two years between any birth children and an adopted child.

If you live outside Cheshire we will discuss with you what sort of child you are interested in adopting. We will prioritise applicants who may be sitable to adopt a child that is currently in need of a family. If we are unable to take up an application from you because of where you live, we can give you contact details about your local Fostering and Adoption Service.

I don't live in the UK?

No. You must have been habitually resident in the UK for atleast one year before applying to adopt a British child. Or one of you must be domiciled in the UK. These are legal terms which imply an intention or durable residence in the UK. If you have any further questions about your suitability to adopt, please contact us and we will be pleased to help you.