Q. Are there any age restrictions?
A. If you are over 21 you can legally adopt. Although there is not a legal upper age limit, being an adoptive parent can be demanding and you will need to demonstrate that you have the energy, emotional and physical health to care for a child throughout their childhood and beyond. Significant age differences between children and parents will be discussed with you. If you are planning to adopt from overseas, please note that some countries impose age restrictions on adopters.
Q. Can I adopt a child similar in age to an existing child in the family?
A. If you have children, there will normally be a gap of two years between an adopted child and a child already in the family. An adopted child will normally be the youngest child.
Q. Do you consider applications from gay couples?
A. It is illegal to discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation. NJAS considers applications from same sex couples as potential adopters.
Q. I do not live in London. Can I apply to Norwood?
A. If you are Jewish, we will be able to consider an application from you. If you practice another religion, you will need to live in the London area.
Q. I am not Jewish, can I apply to Norwood?
A. If you are considering domestic adoption you should live within the London area. Overseas adopters should live in either Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington, however, we do sometimes have the capacity to extend our services beyond these areas.
Q. Do I need to have completed fertility treatments?
A. If you have been undergoing fertility treatment, we usually request that you wait six months from the last treatment. We need to be confident that you have resolved your loss about not being able to conceive and are considering adoption as a positive alternative to parenting.
Q. What does the process involve?
A. You will initially be sent an information leaflet and invited to attend one of our monthly information mornings and will then have the opportunity of an interview with a social worker at home. This will be followed by a preparation group and an assessment of your suitability to adopt.
Medical, police and local authority checks will be made and you will be asked to provide the names of four people who can act as referees for you.
Q. Could I be excluded because of health issues or a criminal conviction?
A. It is always best to discuss health issues or criminal convictions at the outset. We expect adopters to be healthy enough to care for a child into adulthood. Certain criminal convictions will exclude people from adopting.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. There is no charge if you wish to adopt a child in this country. If you wish to adopt a child from overseas, our current fee is £5,600.
Q. How long will it take to get a child?
A. On average it takes about twelve months to be approved as an adopter. Waiting times for a child vary. Sometimes there is already a child waiting for a family, but at other times families may have to wait two to three years for a suitable child.
Q. What kind of adopters are you looking for?
A. You will need experience of caring for children and an understanding of their developmental needs.
You will need to be able to consider some degree of uncertainty in a child’s development, as well as complex birth family histories that can include mental health, drugs and alcohol abuse, and learning disability. You must have a good support network and be in good health. You must have suitable accommodation and be financially stable. Certain criminal offences will exclude you from adoption.
