Children and young people

All sorts of people make good adoptive parents.

• Legally, they must be aged 21 years or over - many adopters are in their late 30s and early 40s.
• Couples do not need to be married but should have a secure and stable relationship.
• Single people can adopt.
• Age is no barrier to adoption but health, energy and stability must be assessed.
• Someone cannot become an adopter if they have been convicted of a serious offence against children.

Adopters need to supply medical and personal references.

What is required of adoptive parents?

Medway Council’s Adoption Agency would expect that, after placement, one adoptive parent would be expected to remain at home with the child for at least six months or longer, if required. Although the Adoption and Permanence Team recognises that many parents work full time, children moving into a new family need stability and time to develop a relationship with their new carer.

Childless people and parents whose children are now older and becoming more independent often do well with adopted children.

Prospective adopters who already have young children under the age of five years may be asked to wait for a while. As a minimum requirement, an adopted child will usually be placed as the youngest child in a family by a margin of about two years, so that they can receive plenty of time and attention and are not in competition with younger children.

How to make an adoption application

Contact the Adoption Team at the address below for an application form or apply using the online form.

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