Adoption explained

Adoption is a way of giving a child a new permanent family because they cannot be brought up by their own parents. If you adopt a child you become the child's legal parent(s).

Who can apply

You can apply to adopt if you are:

• aged over 21. We do not have an upper age limit, but applicants should have the potential to care for a child throughout his or her childhood and offer support for some time beyond.
• living or domiciled in the UK. Domicile is not the same as nationality, but refers to the applicant’s long-term home.
• do not have any criminal convictions against children.
• married, single, divorced, lesbian or gay, or living with a partner
• of any nationality, race, religion, cultural and linguistic background
• applicants can be atheist or agnostic, parent(s) or childless
• employed or unemployed, and
• either a homeowner or rent your home, as long as they have a spare room for the adopted child.

What happens next - the adoption process

An adoption social worker will contact you after your initial enquiry to let you know if we can take your interest in adoption further. We will then visit you to discuss adoption in more detail and help you with any further considerations you need to make before making a more formal application to us.

For information on the adoption process please see our Adoption in Haringey booklet (621kb pdf)

Adoption Support

Following the Adoption Order, a range of support is available from the Adoption Support Service to adoptive parent(s) and their child or children, now and in the future. The support will depend on the needs of the family at the time.

For more information, please see our Adoption Support leaflet (2152kb pdf)

Read about others' experiences

To read accounts from a few of our adopters please see Adopters views (34kb pdf)

How to apply

Use our online form to enquire about adoption.

Thinking about Adoption?

Haringey holds monthly information sessions for people considering adoption. If you are interested in finding out more, please join us at Wood Green Central Library.

To register your place please call or email: Tel: 020 8489 4610 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Wood Green Central Library, High Road Wood Green N22 6XD
How to find us: Nearest Tube: Wood Green (Piccadilly Line)
Buses: 29, 67, 121, 123, 141, 144, 184, 221, 230, 232, 243, 329, W3, W4

You can also contact us at

Adoption Team
40 Cumberland Road
Wood Green
London
N22 7SG

Tel 020 8489 4610
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it