Adoption is a legal permanent change in the life of the child. The adopting family have the same rights towards the adopted child as if the child had been born to them.

Fostering is a temporary change, where a child is cared for by another family, ranging from a few days through to many years.

They make decisions about the day-to-day care of the child but do not have parental responsibility for the child which remains with either the child's birth parents or the local authority caring for the child before adoption.

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How long will the adoption process take?

This can vary widely but from starting the adoption process normally takes approximately 12 months.

Mostly people seeking to adopt can expect the process - from the time they first apply to the time a child starts living with them and an adoption order is granted - to take about two to three years.

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Will we be able to adopt a baby?

There are very few babies put up for adoption in this country. In the year 2003/2004 6% (210) of child adopted were under one year old.

Although it is possible to adopt a baby, it is quite likely the criteria for being approved will be more stringent - and you may have a lengthy wait.

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I'm single. Will that mean I won't be able to adopt?

No. Adoption agencies will accept applications from single people.

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Do you have to be married to adopt?

Unmarried couples can adopt. From September 2005 unmarried couples in England and Wales will be able to apply to adopt jointly.

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Can gay people adopt?

A single person, or partners of the same or opposite genders, whether married civil registered or not - heterosexual, lesbian or gay - can adopt jointly.

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Can disabled people adopt children?

There is nothing in law that prevents disabled people from adopting although they need to prove that their disability does not adversely affect their ability to meet the needs of a child.

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Will having a criminal record prevent me from being able to adopt?

Having a criminal record need not exclude you from adopting unless you have committed offences against children.

It will almost certainly depend upon the circumstances of the offence and the type of offence you committed and how recent the offence is.

You will need to make it clear to the agency that you have a conviction and ask how this may affect your application.

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Should the child be told they are adopted?

It is common now for most adoptions to be far more open than in the past. Most children will be told from the earliest possible time about their background and it is often the case that during the adoption procedure a "life story book" is created with pictures and text about the child's birth family.

It is now seen that it is in the child's benefit that they are fully aware of their past.

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Will the child want to trace their birth parents?

Most adopted children will be naturally curious about their birth parents and some will want to trace them.

Many adoptions today are open adoptions which means that sometimes the child will retain contact with their natural parents either directly, through limited contact, or indirectly through a letter-box system where mail is passed to a neutral point and then passed on to the different parties involved.

But even in open adoptions, it is the adoptive parents who have ultimate responsibility. Adopted children have the right to see their birth certificate and adoption papers at the age of 18, when they become adults. Adult adopted persons and their adult birth relatives can ask an intermediary service to help them make contact with each other and meet.

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What will it cost to adopt a child?

Adoption agencies do not charge a fee, (other than for home studies for overseas adoption) and it is illegal for any money to be paid by the adopters to the child's birth family. Any such payments may lead to prosecution or to an adoption order being refused by the court.

Charitable agencies will accept donations, but this will not affect your chances of achieving the adoption order.

You may be asked to pay some expenses such as travel costs and court costs. You will also have to pay for your own medical examinations.

You should seek clarification from any agency about their policies on expenses and liabilities. If the adoption becomes contested, you will need legal advice and legal representation, but you will probably be offered financial help for this by the child's local authority.

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Would an adopted child need their own room?

Social services usually require the adopted child to have their own room. It's important that when a child moves into a new home that they have their own space which they can "call their own".

However, this is not always the case - for example if you are adopting two siblings it might be considered appropriate for them to share their bedroom.

Each situation is different, and it is worth contacting your local social services but it is very likely that this will be their stance.

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Can you please give some info on new born adoption as my ex partner does not want the child but is too far gone for an abortion

I suggest that you contact your local adoption agency along with your ex-partner to discuss the future of your child.

Your adoption agency can be found in your local telephone directory and will sit within your social services department.

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