Newcastle Adoption service is looking for families for children of all ages, children from black and ethnic minority backgrounds, children with complex needs and sibling groups of children.
We welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
Fill in our online enquiry form if you would like to make an initial enquiry about adopting.
One of our social workers will contact you to talk to you more about adopting a child through the Newcastle Adoption Service, or you can contact us directly.
You can also come along to one our information evenings during 2013 at 7pm at the Register Office, Civic Centre, Newcastle on:
Birth family provides information about the process of having your child adopted.
Being adopted explains what happens when you are adopted by a new family.
International adoptions provides information about different procedures for adopting from overseas.
Step-child adoption provides more information about this process.
If you would like to read our adoption policy and procedures please contact us.
Adoptive parents provide a secure and loving permanent home for children who cannot live with their birth families. When you adopt you become the child’s legal parent.
There are lots of reasons why children cannot live with their birth families. It could be that they have been neglected or abused. Some children may have a disability or needs that their family cannot cope with.
We have children of all ages who need adoptive parents. Some are groups of brothers and sisters who need to stay together.
All of them need loving parents who can give them the care they need to adjust to new lives and go on to have a happy and fulfilling future.
We aim to find secure and loving families for all children who are adopted through our service. The process is thorough, but necessary. It can be demanding but we provide support every step of the way, both during the process and after you have adopted a child.
Once you have decided to formally apply to be an adopter you (and your partner) will need to attend an adoption preparation group. This will give you the chance to learn more and to hear from people who have already adopted children and help you decide whether or not you still wish to go head with the process.
The next stage is the adoption assessment. Here we visit you at home for a period of several weeks to carry out a home study.
The assessment looks at your experience and finds where you may need support and help to develop your skills. We will also be completing a series of checks.
The assessment involves writing a report about you. You will have the opportunity to read, and to contribute to the report.
The next step is presenting your application to the Independant Adoption Panel. We aim to complete assessments and present your application to the adoption panel within 8 months of your formal application. You will be asked to attend so the panel can discuss your application. A recommendation will then made by the panel. After this the Adoption Service will then decide if your application can be approved.
If your application is approved we will work towards matching you with a child.
We offer a post adoption service for people who:
You can use this service at any time even if it is long after an adoption was made. If you want advice or guidance because of the difference adoption has made to your life, we are here to help you. We can give help and advice to:
We can offer you:
Generally an adopted child is classed as part of a claimant's family and can be included in a benefit claim. But there may be other considerations. For example, if the child is in care or if they have been placed with a family pending adoption. Here is a list of benefits that are related to adoption:
For further advice and information on benefits available to adopters visit:
What is the difference between fostering and adoption?
Adoption and fostering are different. When people adopt a child they become the full, legal parents of that child. Fostering is an arrangement in which the child remains the legal responsibility of the local authority and/or the birth parents. Most children in care are fostered for short periods of time and eventually return to their birth parents. Where children will not be able to return to their birth family, the local authority will look into alternatives such as adoption. Some children need permanent foster care when adoption is not appropriate for them. This can be for all sorts of reasons to do with their specific needs.
Who can't adopt?
There are very few people who can’t adopt, but anyone who has committed a serious criminal offence, including offences against a child, or certain violent offences, will not be able to adopt. Some serious medical conditions may prevent a person from being approved as an adoptive parent. You do need to consider whether your accommodation will offer sufficient space for any child joining your family.
Your general health, wellbeing and lifestyle choices will be taken into consideration when the adoption assessment is carried out as some issues or conditions can limit your parenting capacity. However, we have no 'blanket bans' as such and will look at each issue in the context of the whole assessment and what you are able to offer as adoptive parents.
What if I smoke?
You can still adopt if you are a smoker, however we would not place children under the age of five in a household where anybody smokes because of the potential health risks involved. We would want to place any child with asthma or similar conditions in a non-smoking household.
What support will I get after I have adopted a child?
We recognise that adoptive parents may need support throughout the childhood and teenage years of their adopted child. We are committed to doing everything we can to help. We have an Adoption Support Team attached to the service who are dedicated to providing adoption support to anyone affected by adoption. We will provide you with support at your invitation and you won't be left to cope on your own. You can request an assessment of support needs at any time. We also access the service of 'After Adoption' for anyone who would prefer to have independant adoption support.
Will I be paid?
Adoptive parents are not paid for parenting adopted children. However, in some cases, it may be necessary to carry out an assessment of need for adoption support. Part of this assessment is to look at your financial circumstances. In certain circumstances we can agree to support placements with one off payments or a series of payments to meet a specific need such as therapy for the child or to support an adoptive placement where the child has additional needs and would benefit from financial support.
Will I be given information about a child’s background?
All adoption agencies are required by law to give you written information about the child. This will include details of their background, history of care and educational and medical needs. It will help you to understand the needs of the child when they come to live in your home. It also allows you to help the child to understand the circumstances around their adoption as they grow up.
Does it matter where I live?
We recruit adopters who live outside Newcastle within a 50 mile radius as well as those who live in the local area.
Our pledge to prospective adopters is that we will send out an information pack to you within 5 working days of your enquiry. We will also invite you to an information evening within two months of your initial enquiry and arrange a follow up interview once we have received your completed enquiry form.
Adoption Service
Cragside House
Heaton
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE6 1SE
Tel: 0191 211 6777
Fax: 0191 211 6782
Email: adoption@newcastle.gov.uk
After Adoption
After Adoption is a leading voluntary adoption agency and adoption support charity. It finds families for children currently in the care system as well as supporting all those affected by adoption.
Unit 5 Citygate
5 Blantyre Street
Manchester
M15 4JJ
Phone: 0800 0 568 578
Web: www.afteradoption.org.uk
Email: actionline@afteradoption.org.uk
Adoption Contact Register for England
Adoption Contact Register for England - puts adopted people and their birth parents in touch with each other where this is what they both want. Phone: 0870 750 2173
Adoption UK
Adoption UK - a national self-help group, run by adoptive parents who offer support before, during and after adoptio n. Phone: 01295 752 240
Be my parent
Be my parent - an adoption and fostering service for children in the UK.
British Association for Adoption and Fostering
Saffron House
6-10 Kirby St eet
London
EC1N 8TS
Phone: 020 7421 2666
Fax: 020 7421 2660
Email: bmp@baaf .org.uk
British Association of Adoption and Fostering (BAAF)
BAAF Newcastle office
MEA House
Ellison Place
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8XS
General phone: 0191 261 6600
Advice line: 0870 241 0663 (9am - 1 pm)
Fax: 0191 232 2063
Email: newcastle@baaf.org.uk
British Adoption and Fostering (BAAF)
Head office
Saffron House
6-10 Kirby Street
London
EC1N 8TS
Phone: 020 7593 2000
Fax: 020 7593 2001
Email: mail@baaf.org.uk
Commission for Social Care Inspection
St Nicholas Building
St Nicholas Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 1NB
Phone: 0191 233 3323
Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk
Family Rights Group
The Print House
18 Ashwin House
London
E8 3DL
Phone: 020 7923 2628
Fax: 020 7923 2683
Email: office@frg.org.uk
Families in Care
Richmond House
Old Brewery Court
Sandyford
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 1XG
Phone: 0191 260 5300
Email: familiesincare1@btconnect.com
General Register Office
To apply for an adoption certificate or an original birth certificate.
Phone: 0151 471 4830
Website : www.direct.gov.uk/gro
National Orgnisation for Counselling Adoptees and their Parents
National Organisation for Counselling Adoptees and their Parents (NORCAP)
Phone: 01865 875 000
Fax: 01865 875 686
Email: enquiries@norcap.org
North East Post Adoption Service (NEPAS)
North East Post Adoption Service (NEPAS)
Royal Quays Community Centre
Prince Consort Way
Royal Quays
North Shields
NE29 6XB
Phone: 0191 296 6064
Email: nepas@nepas.org
The General Register Office
Adoption Section
Contact Register
Smedley Hydro
Trafalgar Road
Birkdale
Southport
PR8 2HH
Phone: 0800 783 1234
Page last updated: 25 January, 2013
