Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

About adopters

Adopters come from all walks of life and all kinds of people may have the commitment, skills and experience to offer a child a positive experience of family life:

• You may be married, single, divorced or in a partnership with someone.
• You may have your own children or be childless. If you have children of your own, living with you, with a previous partner, or independently, we will need to talk to them about their feelings about adoption.
• If you have completed fertility treatment and have reached a decision not to undergo any further treatment, you can apply to adopt. However, if you are currently undergoing fertility treatment, we would not be able to accept an application.
• You may own your own home or rent, as long as you have adequate accommodation for a child.
• You may be employed or unemployed.
• There are no specific upper age limits for adoption, although there is a legal requirement for applicants to be aged 21 years or over. 
• Applicants will need to have a reasonable level of physical, mental and emotional health. All applicants who wish to adopt will be asked to have a full medical with their own GP.
• Our policy will be not to place a child under the age of five years old within a smoking household unless there are exceptional circumstances.
• Disability does not prevent you from adopting.
• Your sexuality will not prevent you being approved for adoption.
• We need adopters from all races and cultures to reflect the race and culture of the children we look after.
• You may be from any religious background. 
• People who have convictions or cautions for offences against children are prohibited from adopting.