Adoption provides a child with a permanent new family when his natural parents and birth family are not able to care for him or her.  On the making of an Adoption Order all legal ties between the child and his birth family are severed, with the result that the parents and the birth family no longer have any rights in respect of the child. The child is entitled to the surname of the adoptive parent and to all rights and privileges including rights of inheritance as a natural child of the adoptive parents.

If you are considering adoption, we would be very happy to assist you through all stages of this process. We provide free initial telephone consultations for all our clients. Call our specialist Adoption Solicitors now on 0208 591 3366 or contact us online for advice.

Adoption & Children Act

Prior to the Adoption and Children Act coming into force only married couples or a single person could adopt a child. Now unmarried and cohabiting couples and same sex couples can adopt.

The Adoption & Children Act specifically requires an adoption agency, when placing a child for adoption, to give due consideration to the child’s religious persuasion, racial origin and cultural and linguistic background.

The Act also extends the range of options available for the placement of children to secure permanence and security for the child and legal status to the carer without total severance of the child’s ties with his or her birth family, such as special guardianship.

Parental Consent

Under the Adoption and Children Act 2002, parental consent is now required before placing a child for adoption or when a Placement Order is sought prior to adoption. Where a parent does not consent to the child being placed, an application may be made for such consent to be dispensed with. There are now effectively three grounds for dispensing with consent: –

1. The parent(s) with parental responsibility cannot be found
2. The parents are incapable of giving consent
3. The welfare of the child requires that consent be dispensed with

The parents can give advance consent for the future adoption of a child and they can withdraw such consent provided that withdrawal of consent is made before the application for an Adoption Order is issued.  The parents have also the right to apply for permission to oppose the application for adoption provided they can satisfy the Court there has been a change in circumstances since the consent was given or since a Placement Order was made.

Placement Orders

A child may be placed by a Local Authority with prospective adopters with the consent of the parents with parental responsibility, or if consent is not forthcoming by applying for a Placement Order. Generally the child will be the subject of care proceedings if a Placement Order is made.  The parental responsibility of the parents for the child may then be restricted.

Our Adoption Services

If you are considering adoption, we would be very happy to assist you through all stages of this process. We provide free initial telephone consultations for all our clients.

We are able to provide competitive rates for all our Adoption work including fixed fees and staged payment plans. Our fees for an uncontested UK adoption range between £1,500 to £2,500 plus VAT. In some cases Legal Aid may be available.

Call our specialist Adoption Solicitors now on 0208 591 3366 or contact us online for advice.