FAQs

We recommend waiting to make your adoption application until any fertility treatment is completed. We want you to have time to recover – and to feel emotionally ready – before you start this journey.

However, we know that many people want to start enquiries about adoption whilst still undergoing treatment, so we recommend using this time to research adoption and to find out more about the types of children waiting for a family.

Ideally, we would like you to have waited at least 6 months following the conclusion of your fertility treatment. You need to have come to terms with the results of your infertility. It’s a difficult, emotional time for you, so we want you to have had time to resolve your feelings of loss and to have spent time thinking about what adoption really means to you.

It’s worth remembering that many people successfully adopt after unsuccessful fertility treatment, so please don’t feel discouraged by the waiting time. Adoption must be a positive choice and we believe that you can only develop a successful relationship with an adopted child once you have fully accepted the outcome of your treatment.

As with everything in life, people move at different paces. From your first enquiry and home visit, you will be put on a waiting list for the next available NWAS training course. These are held across north Wales throughout the year.

Following your training, the return of your application form and successful completion of your statutory checks, we aim to have you approved by panel within 6 months. This may take longer if there  are any complex issues within your assessment.

After you are approved, it’s more than likely that you will be matched quite quickly as we have a number of children waiting to be adopted. However, this will depend on your flexibility in terms of the types of children that you would consider for adoption, such as sibling groups, those with additional needs, etc.

After approval, you will receive regular reviews to discuss your matching criteria and any change of circumstances.

There is no upper age limit for adoptive parents. Much will depend on your outlook and ability to meet the identified needs of the child into adulthood.

It’s not a competition. All prospective adopters are carefully considered and matched based on the needs of each child. There may be a variety of reasons why one family may be more appropriate than another for an individual child, so please don’t be disheartened.

Yes! Evidence shows that it is positive for the child when their adoptive parents are open and honest about adoption – not knowing can cause upset and emotional trauma in later life.

No, the adoption team will keep in touch with you, especially for the first year of placement to provide you with support. Should you have any worries or need support, you can contact us to see what support is available. We offer different levels of support right up until the child’s 18th birthday. Please see the support section for more information on this.

Most children keep in touch with one or more birth family members by card or letter, and this is a hugely positive thing. Adopters are encouraged and expected to give the children age-appropriate information about their birth family as they grow up. Face-to-face contact will only be arranged if it is considered in the best interest of the child, and it is vital that adopters support these arrangements.

When adopting a child, the only costs that may be incurred are the costs of a medical check from your GP. The cost of a court hearing for an adoption order will be paid by the authority placing the child.

However, you may need to take extended time off work during the introduction period and after a child is placed with you. The length of time for introductions will vary according to the age and needs of the individual child. Adopters are entitled to adoption leave and paternity leave from their employers, so please check your entitlement with your employer.

State benefits are paid from the time a child is placed in the same way as to any other parent. In some cases, you may be eligible for adoption allowance.