We are in urgent need of adopters in and around Birmingham. Are you ready to give a loving home to a child, and give them stability and support? Here you can find out more about adoption and explore starting the adoption process.
We're looking for adopters who live in Birmingham and surrounding areas who can give children from across the UK a loving and supportive home. We're looking for potential adoptive parents from a wide range of different backgrounds.
We work with adopters to get them ready for adoption and matching you with a suitable child or children. We will be with you every step of the way, including lifelong post-adoption support that will always be there if needed.
How to adopt a child
Stage One - approximately eight weeks
First we check your eligibility and once successful you submit a Registration of Interest form. You’ll then be assigned a social worker, and checks begin including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), local authority and employer references. You’ll then attend preparation training covering what it means to be an adoptive parent.
Stage Two - approximately four months
You’ll be assessed by your social worker to see what types of children are best suited to you, and together you’ll produce an Adopter Assessment Report. You’ll also attend in-person training days. At the end of your assessment you’ll attend an Approval Panel, where you’ll find out if your application to adopt has been successful. Your social worker will be with you throughout.
Finding Your Child
At this stage we match and place you with a child. After placement your social work continues to visit and offer support. After a minimum of 10 weeks you can apply to court for an Adoption Order. Once granted you become your child’s legal parent.
Adoption Focus is committed to providing post-adoption support indefinitely, even after the Adoption Order is granted and there’s no legal obligation to remain in contact.
Click here for more details about the adoption process.
What areas do you cover in Birmingham?
We cover the whole of Birmingham, and all of its surrounding areas, including Solihull, the Black Country, Sutton Coldfield, Cannock, Tamworth, Sutton Coldfield and all of central England too.
Not sure if we cover your area? Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Who can adopt a child?
These are the requirements to adopt a child:
- You must be aged 21 or over. There is no upper age limit, but adopters are required to parent a child through to adulthood.
- Applicants must have good physical and mental health, and be able to manage any disabilities effectively. If you’ve had any fertility treatment, this needs to have ended before you start your adoption process.
- Adopters must have been a resident of the UK for at least one year before applying.
- We accept applicants from (but not limited to) single people, married couples, civil partners, unmarried couples and divorced people. The important factor is that the child is entering a safe and supportive environment.
- You can adopt a child if you already have children of your own. Their needs and attitudes towards adoption will be taken into consideration during the assessment.
- People of all ethnic backgrounds and faiths (or none) are welcome.
- A criminal conviction doesn’t automatically prevent someone from adopting. Certain specified offences, such as those against children, will prevent approval.
Matching you with a child
Matching you with a child starts before you’ve been approved. We’ll work on your behalf with social workers from Local Authorities and Regional Adoption Agencies across the UK. We’ll work with you to create an adopter profile, highlighting strengths and personality alongside details of what you’re looking for in a child or children.
You may be given access to a national database of children waiting to be adopted, or be offered the opportunity to attend activity days and profile exchange days.
Every other month, prospective adopters are invited to join an online discussion group on topics related to finding your child, including hearing from adopters who already have a child placed with them.
We’ll guide you through the entire process at your own pace, advocating your skills and qualities.
Adoption support in Birmingham
We run regular in-person social events in and around Birmingham, alongside online training sessions and groups. Click here to find out more about these informational events. You’ll also get access to Adopterverse, a safe, online space for our adopters to connect, learn from and support each other and access useful resources. We also have staff in the Birmingham area, who work with our adopters during the process and are always available for support post-adoption.
Other Birmingham based support:
- Beacon Family Services: Offers free and fully funded therapeutic post-adoption support. Based in Sutton Coldfield and supports families throughout Birmingham and West Midlands.
- Our Place Support: A community organisation empowering children and young people through practical advice, specialist mentoring, and a Community Hub in Sutton Coldfield.
- Grow Family Services: A SEND support network designed for SEND parents, providing a supportive and empowering space for parents and carers. Based in Sutton Coldfield.
- Embrace: Based in Sutton Coldfield and provides trauma-informed guidance, online courses, workshops and 1:1 support for adoptive families and children.
Why trust Adoption Focus?
Adoption Focus is an independent charity, and one of the largest adoption agencies in the UK. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted at every inspection since we were established in 2009, we’re focused on providing the best support for both adopters and adoptees.
We’re passionate about inclusivity and welcome potential adoptive parents of all ages and backgrounds including couples, single parents, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We offer lifelong support to every adoptive family - you can contact us every weekday. We provide an extensive range of therapeutic services and highly recommended training programmes. We will walk with you throughout the adoption process and far beyond, as your children grow into adulthood.
Stories from our adopters
Want to hear from other adopters about their journey? Read our adopters’ blogs or listen to our podcasts. Find first-hand accounts from people who’ve been through the adoption process with Adoption Focus.
Will I adopt a child that lives in Birmingham?
This depends. We don’t necessarily match adopters who live in Birmingham with children who are in the same area. Often, children are placed outside of their local area to avoid accidental contact with birth families.
What costs are involved in adoption?
The only costs involved with adoption in the UK is the medical with your GP (examination and report), or incidental costs like travel to meetings or events. All other aspects of the adoption process are covered such as the legal fees and court costs, and access to training courses. You may choose to take time off work during the process which may have financial implications.