Adopting a child means becoming the legal parent of a child who was not born to you. It is a process where an adult takes full responsibility for raising a child and becomes their permanent parent in the eyes of the law.
Adopted children from AiM are unable to live with their birth family for a range of reasons. These reasons mainly being serious safeguarding concerns such as neglect or physical, emotional or sexual abuse. Their birth parents may also be struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, mental health difficulties or domestic abuse.
Building Families Through Adoption
The child/children will be placed into foster care for a short time and then move permanently to a new family.The new family will take their surname and become legal parents with the same rights and responsibilities as if the child were their biological son or daughter.
Birth parents no longer have any legal rights over the child however, children continue to maintain relationships with their birth families through cards/letters/face-to-face so that they grow up understanding their background.
In simple terms, adoption is about building a family. It shows that family isn’t just about being related by blood – it’s about love, care, and commitment.
Our Adoption Support Team is on hand to provide excellent help and advice to adoptive parents and their children throughout the adoption process and beyond.
Am I too old to adopt?
No, there is no upper age limit to adopt a child. However, all prospective adopters must be in good health and capable of meeting a child’s care and parenting needs. Older applicants may wish to consider adopting an older child, as this can increase the likelihood of a successful placement.
Can I adopt if I already have children?
Yes, we welcome applications from individuals or couples who already have biological or adopted children. Each family is assessed on a case-by-case basis. While we are open to considering the placement of an older child where appropriate, it is more common for younger children to be placed in these situations.
Do couples need to have been together for a particular length of time before they can adopt?
Most adoption agencies view the quality and strength of a couple’s relationship as more important than the length of time they have been together when considering their ability to parent an adopted child.
However, when couples apply to adopt jointly, the duration of their relationship and the time they have lived together will be taken into account as part of the assessment to help determine whether the relationship can offer the long-term stability and commitment that a child needs.
Do I need to be earning a certain amount of money or own my own house before I can adopt?
It is not necessary to be wealthy or own your own home to adopt. What matters is that you have sufficient space to comfortably accommodate a child and can provide for their needs financially. Your financial situation will be assessed as part of the adoption process.
What is the difference between a Regional and Voluntary Adoption Agency?
A Voluntary Adoption Agency is an independent, often charitable organisation that provides adoption services, including assessing and supporting prospective adopters and placing children for adoption.
A Regional Adoption Agency, on the other hand, is a partnership between multiple local authorities that have joined together to deliver adoption services more efficiently and consistently across a wider geographic area.
Regional adoption agencies coordinate resources and expertise to improve the matching and support process for children and adopters within their region.
In summary, Voluntary Adoption Agencies are independent organisations, while regional adoption agencies are collaborative arrangements between local authorities designed to streamline and enhance adoption services within a specific region.
Early Permanence (Fostering for Adoption)
Early Permanence also known as Fostering for Adoption (FFA) is another route to adopting a child while being a temporary foster carer for a specific child. This ensures early permanence and is a popular route for those wanting to adopt a younger child or baby.
Adoption in Merseyside hold responsibility for the initial screening of step parent enquires for our Local Authorities. If you want more information about the process, please download the leaflet below.
During the assessment it is important that the child understands what is happening and agrees to the adoption. You cannot adopt anyone over the age of 18 as they are legally an adult.
Do we have to pay for the application and DBS check?
Yes, this is not funded by the local council.
Do I need to contact the birth mother of birth father before making the application?
Yes. We will not process the application unless birth mother/birth father knows that this is taking place. If birth parent has deceased, then another brith family member will have to be contacted.
