Are you considering adopting a child?
Could you offer a child a caring, loving and safe environment?
Are you looking for advice and guidance?
Within this section you will find a range of information on adoption, which may be helpful in the intial stages of your decision-making.
What is adoption?
Adoption is a way of providing new families, for children who cannot be brought up by their own parents.
It is a legal procedure in which all parental responsibility is transferred to the adopters.
Once an adoption has been granted, and the 14-day time limit for lodging an appeal has passed, it cannot be reversed.
An adopted child loses all legal ties with their birth parents and becomes a full member of the adoptive family, usually taking the family's name.
What is the difference between adoption and fostering?
Adoption is a legal process by which a child becomes a full member of a new family, with the adoptive parents assuming all parental responsibilities.
Fostering is a temporary arrangement, where a child lives with a family until circumstances enable the child to return to their own family, live independently or be placed for adoption.
Further information
More information on adoption, including eligibility and processes can be found by visiting our frequently asked questions page.
For further information on adoption in Greenwich, please contact the Adoption Team using the contact details in the menu on the right.
There are many external agencies that also offer advice and guidance on adoption. Contact details can be found by visiting our useful contacts page.
Alternatively, you can visit any of the websites provided in our useful links menu on the right.