There’s nothing unusual about single parenting – ONS statistics for 2020 found that there were 2.9 million lone parent families in 2020, which accounts for 14.7% of all families in the UK.
With single parents clearly capable of doing everything a two-parent household can do, it remains a mystery why so many people feel that being single would prevent them from adopting.
Is this true though? Can single people adopt?
Can you adopt a child if you’re single?
Yes, single people can apply to adopt.
To first begin the adoption application process, you need only be over the age of 21 – and it doesn’t make a difference whether you’re single, married or in a civil partnership, in a same-sex couple or the partner of the child’s parent.
The Department for Education ‘children looked after in England’ statistics found that 11% (390) of adoptions between 2019 and 2020 were by single adopters.
After you make your initial application, the adoption agency will:
- Invite you to a series of preparation classes – these are normally held locally and give advice on the effect adoption may have on you
- Arrange for a social worker to visit you on several occasions to carry out an assessment
- Arrange a police check – you will not be allowed to adopt if you, or an adult member of your family, have been convicted of a serious offence, for example against a child
- Ask you to provide the names of 3 referees who will give you a personal reference
- Arrange for you to have a full medical examination.
This assessment report will be sent to an independent panel experienced in adoption and they will make a decision on whether you can proceed as a hopeful single parent.
If your agency decides you can adopt, they’ll begin the process of finding a child.
The agency will explain how the process works and how you can be involved.
Being single isn’t reason enough to be rejected, but there are some things that can go against your application.
These can include if the social worker feels like you still might be holding hope of having a biological child in the future and if you lie about anything during the application.
18-24 October marks National Adoption Week, a campaign which aims to highlight and champion all aspects of adoption.
MORE : Adoptees of all ages reveal what being adopted means to them
MORE : What it’s like becoming a single mum by adoption during lockdown
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Adoption Month
Adoption Month is a month-long series covering all aspects of adoption.
For the next four weeks, which includes National Adoption Week from October 14-19, we will be speaking to people who have been affected by adoption in some way, from those who chose to welcome someone else’s child into their family to others who were that child.
We’ll also be talking to experts in the field and answering as many questions as possible associated with adoption, as well as offering invaluable advice along the way.
If you have a story to tell or want to share any of your own advice please do get in touch at adoptionstories@metro.co.uk.
Here is a selection of the stories from Adoption Month so far:
