Frequently asked questions

What is Adoption? +

Adoption is a life-changing decision. Adoption offers a new start to a child or young person who cannot be brought up by their birth family. It is the legal process by which a child or sibling group become permanent and legal members of a new family. Adoptive parents become the child’s legal parents with the same rights and responsibilities as if the child was born to them.

Am I too old to adopt? +

Legally adopters only need to be over 21. We have placed children for adoption with parents ranging from those in their 20s to their 40s.

While there is no upper age limit for adoptive parents, you will need to have the health and energy to raise your children throughout their childhood and prepare them for independence.

I am single, can I adopt? +

Yes. There is no reason you cannot adopt if you are single. Each year in NI around 10% of all adopters are single adoptive parents.

Do I need to be married to adopt? +

No. You can apply to adopt whether you are an individual, married, a same sex couple, or a non-married couple living with a partner. You do need to have been living together in a stable relationship for at least 2 years.

Adopted children have often experienced a lot of uncertainty and disruption in their lives and need to experience a new family life where relationships are secure and supportive.

Do I need to have finished fertility investigations / fertility treatment before I can apply to adopt? +

It is important that if you have had fertility investigations or fertility treatment that these have been completed. An assessment cannot be undertaken while fertility treatment or investigations are ongoing.

Dealing with fertility issues can be emotionally challenging, and you will need to take some time to come to terms with the outcome of your investigations or treatment.

How long will I need to be off work after a child is placed for adoption with me? +

Once a child is placed in your adoptive care you will be required to stay at home for an extended period to help them settle in. This is normally six months to a year and will depend on the child’s age and circumstances.

If you work, you should be entitled to paid statutory adoption leave for up to 52 weeks. If you adopt as a couple, one of you may make use of this leave and the other may take paternity leave or shared parental leave.

I have children can I adopt? +

Yes. Having children of your own (of any age) will not exclude you from adopting, whether they are living at home with you or not. Any previous experience of parenting, or caring regularly for children, will be considered favourably in your application.

Children needing an adoptive family need to be the youngest sibling in their new adoptive family by at least two years.

This age gap helps to ensure each child’s needs are met and can reduce potential competition or conflict related to similar developmental stages.

A wider age gap can help prevent competition between children at similar developmental stages, as well as allow your existing child/children to be more mature and supportive of the adopted child’s needs.

Can I adopt a baby? +

Sometimes people considering adoption wish to adopt a baby, but most children who need to be adopted in Northern Ireland are between 2 and 6 years old. Some children have a brother or sister and need to live together.

Do I need to own my own home to adopt? +

No. You do not need to own your own home to adopt. You are able to adopt if you live in rented accommodation.

How long does it take to be assessed to be an adoptive parent? +

Once you officially begin the adoption assessment stage, the process should take around 9 months.

Each application is unique however, and may take less or more depending on circumstances.

What happens after I am approved as an adoptive parent? +

Once you have been approved our agency will begin the process of ‘matching’ you to a child or children. We work with all the Health and Social Care Trusts to identify a child, or sibling group, for our approved adopters.

The matching process will take into account your discussions with your social worker about the child or children you hope to care for and will consider your personal strengths, skills, and experience. The process can be quick or may take longer.

Your details will be forwarded to the Adoption Regional Information System for Northern Ireland (ARIS) which is a database that holds details of all approved adopters and children requiring adoption in Northern Ireland.

The database provides a matching service and arranges Exchange Day events every 6 months where prospective adopters can find out more about specific children currently in need of an adoptive family.

Will my adopted child continue to see their birth family? +

Maintaining relationships with birth family members can be very important to a child to offer them a better understanding of their personal history. It can also benefit their identity and emotional wellbeing.

In many cases, adopted children do have some direct contact with their birth family (parents, siblings or grandparents). This direct contact normally involves a social worker and a neutral venue and the level of contact will depend on the individual circumstances of the child or children, but is generally 2 meetings annually.

Questions from Adopted Adults (Click here for more information) +

I am adopted can I access my adoption records?

If you are an adopted adult at least 18 years of age, you have the legal right to access information about yourself before you were adopted. We have social workers who can help you to find and access your adoption records.

I wish to trace a birth family member, how do I go about this?

If you would like to find a relative who is an adopted adult or birth family member, we can help you do this. We have social workers who specialise in providing services to adults affected by adoption in the past and would be happy to hear from you.

Frequently asked questions

Support & Advice

Every Child Deserves a Family Life