Adoption - am I eligible to apply?

On this page you can find out more about the eligibility criteria for adoption services.

Qualifying for an assessment

The assessment process is your chance to convince us that a child placed with you will grow up in a suitable, safe and healthy home environment.

Unfortunately, Lambeth has limited resources to devote to adoption.

For this reason, we can only assess you if we believe there is a reasonable prospect that you will be approved, and a child placed with you.

And, we need to reassure ourselves that you can commit fully to the adoption process.

There are two simple criteria that you have to meet to qualify for assessment:

• You must have permanent residency
• You must have accommodation with room for a child

We're keen to stress that you cannot be excluded automatically on grounds of age, health or other factors, except in the cases of certain criminal convictions. However, these factors will be considered in terms of your ability to look after children in a safe and responsible way.

Reasons why we may not proceed with an application

We've listed a number of reasons why we could conclude it inappropriate to proceed with an application.

However these are only examples. If something here raises doubt in your mind about applying, please feel free to contact us first to discuss it (this can be done in complete confidence).

You will also find more information in the frequently asked questions section.

Age
Where there is reasonable cause for concern that you may not survive through all the years of the child's dependence, or retain sufficient energy and vigour to meet the child's needs during it.

Health
Where your medical or psychiatric history or current state of health gives reasonable cause for concern about your future health prospects.

Work/lifestyle
Where your work responsibilities or leisure interests constitute a genuine risk to your life or health, or impair your ability to look after a child.

Alcohol/substance abuse
Where consumption of alcohol and/or other substances constitutes a serious risk to your life or health.

Character
Whether you have a criminal record (either current or 'spent') of offences, which calls into question your suitability to parent through adoption.

Housing
Where your current accommodation is temporary or insufficient or unsuitable for the placement of a child, or contains domestic animals that may endanger the health or safety of the child.

Relationship
In the case of a joint application, that there is a stable and committed relationship of a reasonable duration.

Parenting
Where your child has been the subject of care proceedings or child protection proceedings giving reasonable cause for concern, or there have been serious concerns about your care of children by other agencies or employers.

Infertility
Where you are still undergoing fertility treatment, or there is less than six months since the ending of fertility treatment.

Bereavement
Where you are still in the process of recovering from a major loss or bereavement.

If anything comes to light that is likely to prevent your ultimate approval to adopt, we reserve the right not to proceed (or later not to continue) with your application.

This is particularly pertinent where these factors were not disclosed at the outset, or in the unfortunate event that an irretrievable breakdown occurs in our relationship with you.

For further information, please see judging your suitability section.

Contact us

To begin a discussion with us about adoption, please submit the register my interest form or phone our free phone number: 0800 952 2926.