What Is Adoption?

Adoption means belonging to and growing up with a new family when you cannot live with the family you were born into. A court makes something called an Adoption Order, and you are then legally part of your new family and not in care or "looked after" any more. When a court makes the Adoption Order, the adopters will become your new parents.

All children need to grow up in a family with a parent or parents who will love them, look after them and meet their needs as they are growing up.

There might be reasons why you can't stay with your own family. It may be because your parents have been unable to look after you, or that perhaps they have hurt you.

If this is the case, a social worker will talk to you about where you might live instead and will arrange for you to be safe and well looked after. This may include finding an adoptive family for you.