Adoption
Every child deserves a permanent home that makes them feel safe and cared for, a home that’s right for their age, culture, ethnicity, religion and any other needs. Adoption is a way of providing a new home and family for children who cannot be brought up by their biological family. It is a legal procedure in which all the parental responsibility is transferred to the adopters.
Adoption is a lifelong commitment and like all parenting, it means sticking with it through good times and bad - when you adopt, you take on all the legal rights and responsibilities for the child. Nevertheless, many adoptive parents testify that it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
Who can adopt?
There is no such thing as the 'ideal adoptive family'. We are more interested in what people have to offer a child who needs a home, rather than in marital status or income level. Please be assured that disability does not automatically rule you out.
- You don’t have to be:
a home owner; working; under 40; married, in a relationship or heterosexual; a parent; specially qualified. - You do have to be:
mature and thoughtful; happy to make space in your life and home; patient, flexible and energetic; determined to make a real difference to a child’s life - for a lifetime; ready for a challenge, and well supported by family and friends
Important qualities
Some of the qualities we look for in prospective adoptive parents are that they:
- like children and young people
- are flexible and non-judgmental
- have the ability to negotiate and compromise
- understand and empathise with children who may have been neglected or abused
- welcome opportunities for training and support and feel able to work with social workers and other professional staff
- are not be daunted by children with difficult behaviour
- are able to cope with complex needs which may require a great deal of patience, skill and determination - possibly over a very long period of time, and
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are willing and able to make a long term commitment and provide a permanent home for a child and ‘claim’ them for the rest of their lives.
What do I do if I want to adopt?
- Please contact the Family Placement Team at:
Children's Services, 11 Market Street, Galashiels TD1 3AD
Tel: 01896 757230 - You can also contact your local Social Work office.
More information
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The adoption process
Information is available about the adoption process including a summary of how long it should take, financial issues and the legal process involved. -
Case studies
Read about two fictional children who represent the types of children who may be waiting for adoption in the Borders. -
The difference between adoption and fostering
Fostering is usually a temporary arrangement to enable a child to live with a family until circumstances enable them to return to their own family, live independently, or be placed for adoption.
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