Adoption Focus provides an adoption service across Leicester City, Leicestershire and Rutland. We are looking for adopters who can provide loving, stable and supportive homes for children currently waiting in care. We have a dedicated social worker available every week day to talk to you about adoption and answer your questions. Please call our main office on 0121 779 0891 or fill in the form below.
If you'd like to find out more about adoption, please contact us here
Thinking about adoption in Leicestershire?
There are children in Leicestershire currently in need of adoptive parents that can give them a loving and supportive home and environment. We’re actively seeking families from a wide range of different backgrounds. Whether you are a couple, single, LGBTQ+, or have a disability, and would like to find out more from an adoption agency near you, we’d love to hear from you.
We’ll be with you every step of the way, from getting you ready for adoption through to matching you with a suitable child - you’ll get support at each stage of the journey.
The Adoption Process
Stage One (approximately eight weeks)
After checking your eligibility (and you're successful), you’ll submit a Registration of Interest form. We’ll then assign you to a social worker, and the necessary checks will be carried out including employer references, Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS), and the local authority. The final step in this stage is attending preparation training which will cover everything you need to know about adoption.
Stage Two (approximately four months)
The social worker assigned to you will assess what types of children are best suited to you, and together you’ll work on your Adopter Assessment Report. There is also in-person training to attend. The stage ends with attending an Approval Panel, where you find out if you’ve been successful.
Finding Your Child
At this stage we match and place you with a child. Your assigned social worker will carry out home visits and offer any support you may need. At 10 weeks, you can apply to court for an Adoption Order, and this is when you can become the child’s legal parent.
There is no legal obligation for us to remain in contact, but we believe in giving parents post-adoption support indefinitely - even after you become the legal parent or guardian.
Click here for more details about the adoption process.
What areas do you cover?
- Blaby - southwestern areas such as Glenfield, Braunstone, Narborough and Blaby village itself.
- Charnwood - northern areas such as Loughborough, Rothley and Barrow upon Soar.
- Harborough - south-eastern areas such as Market Harborough, Lutterworth and the Kibworth villages.
- Hinckley & Bosworth - south-western areas such as Market Bosworth, Barwell and Hinckley itself.
- Melton - north-eastern areas such as Melton Mowbray, Asfordby and Bottesford.
- North West - includes areas such as Coalville, Ashby-de-la-Zouch and Castle Donnington.
- Oadby & Wigston - small district directly south of Leicester.
If you’re not sure if we cover your area, please do get in touch. In the unlikely event we don’t cover your area, we’ll point you in the right direction.
Can anyone adopt a child?
There are certain requirements for adoption:
- You must be 21 years old or over. Whilst there is no upper age limit, you will be required to parent a child through to adulthood.
- You must be in good physical and mental health. Any disabilities must be managed effectively. Any fertility treatment must have ended before you start the adoption process.
- All adopters must have lived in the UK for at least one year before applying.
- We accept applicants from a range of backgrounds including (but not limited to) single parents, married couples, civil partners, and unmarried couples. The most important factor is that the child is in a safe and nurturing environment.
- If you already have children, their needs and attitudes towards adoption will be taken into consideration when you go through the process.
- Parents of all ethnic backgrounds and faiths are welcome to adopt, including those who are agnostic or atheist.
- A criminal conviction does not automatically prevent approval, only certain specified offences such as those against children.
Matching you with a child
The matching process starts before you’ve been approved. We’ll work with social workers from Local Authorities based in Leicestershire and other Regional Agencies across the UK. With our help you’ll put together an adopter profile, including details of what you’re looking for in a child.
Adopters get access to a national database of children waiting for adoption, you’ll also be invited to attend activity days and profile exchange days.
There are also online discussion groups you can attend covering topics related to finding your child, including hearing from adopters who already have a child placed with them.
We’ll work at your pace, guiding you through the process, always advocating your skills and qualities.
Adoption support in Leicestershire
Families in Leicestershire have access to a range of social events and adoption support groups.
Our annual family days are a great way to meet other adopters in your area. In the past we’ve enjoyed some fantastic trips to places like Twycross Zoo and Twin Lakes. These days out give you a chance to meet other adopters, make friends and exchange adoption stories and experiences.
We also have a team of staff based in this area who will be working with you and supporting you along your adoption journey.
You’ll also get access to online support, including Adopterverse, a safe, digital space for our adopters to connect, learn from and support each other and access useful resources.
Other Leicestershire based support
- Family Hubs Leicestershire: Established to support families, children and young people. Working with partner organisations they provide a one-stop shop and offer advice, information and resources to help families navigate every stage.
- Young Leicester: An award-winning youth work charity supporting children and young people through mentoring, youth clubs and community based activities.
Heads Up (previously known as the Centre for Fun and Families) has been supporting families since 1990. They provide a range of support including antenatal education, early years groups, mental health support and ADHD parent/carer support.
Why trust Adoption Focus?
Adoption Focus is an independent charity, and one of the largest adoption agencies in the UK. Rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted on every inspection since 2009, we’re focused on providing the best support for both adopters and adoptees.
We’re passionate about inclusivity and welcome adoptive parents of all ages and backgrounds including couples, single parents, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and more. 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.
Will I adopt a child that lives in Leicestershire?
This depends. We don’t necessarily match adopters who live in Leicestershire with children who are in the same area. Often, children are placed outside of their local area to avoid accidental contact with birth families.
How long until I am matched with a child?
This varies from case to case. The process before being approved can take around 6 months, and you have to wait 10 weeks until you can apply to become the child’s legal parent. All in all you’re looking at around one year.