Guidance

Register a voluntary adoption agency: guidance for applicants

How to register with Ofsted and apply to open, manage, or be associated with a voluntary adoption agency.

• From: Ofsted
• Published: 11 November 2014
• Last updated: 28 November 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 28 November 2025

     Voluntary adoption agencies guidance updated. The guidance is now organised into 4 clear sections: - Voluntary adoption agencies registration policy - Apply to register a voluntary adoption agency - Apply to be associated with a voluntary adoption agency - Responsibilities of providers and managers in Ofsted-registered voluntary adoption agencies

  2. 24 May 2024

     Removed the need for a financial reference, following a change in legislation.

  3. 22 February 2021

     Revised throughout for clarity.

  4. 11 November 2014

     First published.

Applies to England

Documents

Voluntary adoption agencies registration policy

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Apply to register a voluntary adoption agency

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Apply to be associated with a voluntary adoption agency

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Responsibilities of providers and managers in Ofsted-registered voluntary adoption agencies

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Details

This guidance explains the policies and registration requirements Ofsted uses to assess your application to run a voluntary adoption agency.

It also outlines what to expect after your voluntary adoption agency is registered.