Adoption

Pay and leave, adopting through your council, inter-agency fees, placement, inspection forms.

Services

  • The adoption process - eligibility, assessment, adoption agencies, adoption court orders, overseas adoptions and the rights of birth parents.

  • Your Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave - what you get, how to claim and eligibility

  • Apply to adopt a child through your local council if you are 21 or over and can offer a stable home to a child

  • Legal rights for intended parents and surrogates; how legal parenthood is transferred; children born outside the UK; pay and leave rights

  • Work out your Statutory Adoption Leave dates - Ordinary and Additional Adoption Leave period, notice period and earliest start date

Guidance and regulation

News and communications

Research and statistics

Policy papers and consultations

Transparency and freedom of information releases