| Adoption is a legal process by which all parental rights | | | | the Adoption Agency. |
| and responsibilities are permanently transferred to the | | | | However, an Adoption Agency does have a legal |
| adoptive parents by a court. The child legally | | | | obligation to offer you support and help when |
| becomes part of the adoptive family, as if they had | | | | requested including a post - adoption service. |
| been born into it, usually taking the familyâs | | | | Adopters need to be aged 21 and over, single or |
| surname. | | | | married people can adopt. Couples who are not |
| Adoption has significant legal, emotional, psychological, | | | | married can adopt, although not jointly. There are no |
| and social consequences for the child, the adoptive | | | | set financial requirements for prospective adopters. |
| parents, the birth parents and others. | | | | The home can be rented, mortgaged or owned. The |
| After an Adoption Order has been granted there is | | | | main requirement is the child has their own room. |
| no obligation upon adopters to remain involved with | | | | |