Who can adopt?

If you have a genuine interest in adopting a child, and the time and space in your life to do so, then we want to hear from you. You do not have to live in Westminster, as long as you don't live more than 2 hours from London.

We welcome applications from people who are:

• 
  Heterosexual, lesbian or gay.
• Married, single, living with a partner or divorced
• Of any nationality, race, religion and cultural background.
• Parent(s), or those without children. Please note, it is usual for there to be a minimum two year age gap between the adopted child and any other child in your family. Also we generally place children who are younger than your other children.
• Employed or unemployed.
• Home owners or people who rent their home, as long as they have security and space to care for children as they grow.
• Aged over 21 (we do not have an upper age limit, but applicants should have the potential to care for a child throughout their childhood and beyond).
• Domiciled or habitually resident in the UK. (Domicile and habitual residence are legal concepts and it is not the same as nationality. If in doubt, applicants should seek legal advice.)
• Do not have any criminal convictions against children.

It is important that adopters can offer a safe, stable and loving home throughout childhood and beyond. We look for the following values in potential adopters:

• 
  A real interest in children
• A strong life-long commitment to adopting a child
• Patience, warmth and a sense of humour
• Time, energy and space to share your life with a child
• Support from your family and friends
• Living within approximately 2 hours travelling distance from central London.