Financial matters

We do not charge prospective adopters any fee for the work involved in taking up their application. Apart from legal and medical fees, you will not be expected to meet any costs at this stage.

Medical costs
You will be required to have a medical examination, usually with your own GP who will make a standard charge to you. This is currently in the region of £50 to £80 per person.

Legal expenses
You won’t be expected to pay anything towards the cost of your assessment and preparation as adopters. However, after a child has been placed with you and has settled sufficiently for you to apply for a legal Adoption Order, then you will have to pay a court fee when you lodge your application for that order.

Under new legislation however, this cost will be met by the Local Authority who currently has responsibility for the child. That Local Authority will also meet the cost of any legal fees if the adoption application is complex and legal representation is needed, and providing that you are not entitled to Legal Aid.

Financial support
Local Authorities are required to consider whether it is necessary for them to offer financial support to adopters where the child has particular needs. Any financial support offered will be assessed in relation to your income and the child’s needs. Allowances may be paid for a long-term ongoing period, or as a one off lump sum. Such allowances do not affect the rights and responsibilities you have as an adoptive parent.

Child benefit

Adopters are entitled to claim Child Benefit from the time the child comes to live with them. Adopters may also be entitled to Child Tax and Working Tax credit, dependent on their particular situation.

Do I need to be in a job, and what if I don’t own my home?

It isn’t necessary for an adopter to be in employment , or to be a house owner. We will need to make sure that you are financially secure and able to provide stability for a child, and so these things will be discussed with you.

However, you don’t have to be ‘rich’ to adopt.