Are you considering adopting a child with special educational or additional needs?
Every child has the potential to thrive if they have love, understanding, and the right support at the right time. Many children waiting for adoption have special educational needs including autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, and developmental delays.
There are currently thousands of children waiting for a permanent, secure home. They need families who can help them grow, learn, and shine in their own unique way.
At Adoption Focus, we believe adopting a child with additional needs is one of the most rewarding things you can do. It’s about celebrating progress, patience over pressure, and seeing the world through a child’s eyes.
Adopting a child with special educational or additional needs
Children with additional needs may need a little extra time, care, and creativity to reach their potential. But what they give in return is immeasurable. With the right environment and the love of a committed family, these children can flourish.
You won’t be alone. We’ll be there with you every step of the way, offering specialist preparation and tailored training, practical advice, and lifelong post-adoption support. We work closely with schools, health professionals, and local networks to make sure your child receives the right educational and emotional support as they grow.
If you have patience, compassion, and a belief in every child’s potential, you could make a life-changing difference. We’d love to hear from you.
Benefits of adopting SEND children
Parents adopting children with SEND are well represented and growing in number at Adoption Focus. The benefits of this type of adoption include:
- Giving a child with SEND the opportunity to thrive in a stable and loving family. Being a positive advocate for them and their educational, medical and therapeutic needs.
- Those with SEND can often feel isolated and alone. By adopting them and giving them a stable home, you give them a sense of belonging.
- Many adopters describe the experience as rewarding, seeing a child they’re caring for flourish.
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 we were formed in 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.
Special Educational and Additional Needs Child Adoption FAQs
Can I adopt a child with special educational or additional needs?
Yes. Children with special educational or additional needs often have the longest wait times for adoption. If you have a loving and stable home, and are considering adoption, we’d love to hear from you.
What is SEND child adoption?
SEND child adoption is the process of parents adopting children who have special educational needs and disabilities, also referred to as additional needs. The umbrella term covers learning difficulties, Autism, ADHD, physical disabilities and more.
Does the adoption process differ for SEND adoption?
The core adoption process remains the same with assessments, references and other checks. Once the child is placed with you and after a settling in period, you apply for an Adoption Order to make it legal. Depending on the child or children, you may receive more background information, specialist training and longer introductions.
Is it harder to adopt SEND children?
Adopting a SEND child is neither harder or easier, the core process remains the same with some differences that will vary depending on the child. If you’re considering adopting a SEND child we’d love to hear from you.
How do I find adoption agencies that support SEND child adoption?
Look no further, Adoption Focus have placed many SEND children with families, and we’d love to support you. When adopting with us, you’ll get access to lifelong support and advice, we also offer specialist SEND training.
What support is available for SEND children and their families?
Adopterverse is our online platform which contains a wealth of helpful resources and connections for our adopters, including parents and families adopting children with SEND. Find out more about Adopterverse. We also have a dedicated Adoption Support Team with specialist managers, social workers and therapeutic workers who are ready and waiting to give you all the support you need.
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.