If adopting a baby looks an unlikely option, you could opt for an older child, which also has the advantage of a shorter waiting period.

The older the child, the shorter the wait is likely to be and the less rigorous certain selection criteria will be.

Adopters of older children still have to meet certain standards but many adoption agencies will look at each applicant on their own merits and there will be room for a bit more flexibility.

They may, for example, choose to accept clients with a medical condition if they have a lot of experience of working with or bringing up children.

But adopting older children is often no picnic. Most of the older children freed for adoption have been abused or neglected by their parents and as a result can have special needs and be very demanding to care for.

Many in the adoption field believe that the older the child, the harder they are to place successfully. The older the child, the harder they find it to accept their adoption and fit in with their adoptive family.

But there are many success stories, too. A lot may depend on the child, the adoption agency workers, and the adoptive family.

Adopting an older child, although often more challenging, can also bring its own rewards in helping that child come to terms with their difficult past and face the future with hope and optimism.

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