Why adopt?

People consider adoption for a variety of reasons, and sometimes several at the same time. Most commonly, they are unable to have children of their own, perhaps have tried IVF, or concluded that adoption is a better way of creating the family they seek to have.

Others may wish to have a second family perhaps following remarriage and do not wish to have any more birth children, perhaps because they are older. Others have decided that for their own reasons they choose not to have their own at this time, or wish to share their lives with a child or group of children who would otherwise not have a chance of a family life. Sometimes people have adopted children out of a strong desire or sense of responsibility to care for a child with special needs,  having worked themselves in some kind of nursing or caring job and seeing the need for such children to also benefit from a home life.

The Children

The fact is we have more boys and for some reason most adopters want girls!  In Nottingham the total number of straightforward, white, healthy babies placed for adoption in each year is not likely to be more than 6 (possibly with siblings).  Many of these children have been abused – physically, sexually or emotionally.  Their parents may have had difficulties themselves and may oppose their child’s placement for adoption and therefore there may be legal delays.  Some children may have other brothers and sisters in which case we would want to place them as a family together or at least make sure they have contact with each other on a regular basis.  Older children having experienced family disruption may have behavioural or emotional difficulties.  Some children may have learning problems or be developmentally delayed.

All these children need the love and security of family life.  Perhaps you can help?  Our priority is to find families for all these children.  We particularly welcome enquiries and applications from people who can consider the following:

• Single boys aged 5 years and over.
• Groups of brothers and sisters, particularly of three or more children where the eldest is over 5 years of age.
• Children of all ages; boys and girls, with health problems, delayed development and disabilities.
• Children of dual heritage (usually African Caribbean/White) particularly brothers and sisters of school age.
• All children aged 5 years and over.

We do not normally accept applications for “baby only” adoptions.  However, applicants who are Black, Asian and of dual heritage and/or in an interracial relationship are particularly needed due to a national shortage amongst adoptive applicants and may apply to adopt children under 3 years.