About adoption

If you want to find out whether becoming a parent through adoption is the right step for you then we are here to help!

Adoption is the process by which a couple or single person becomes the legal and permanent parent of a child or sibling group who cannot be cared for within their birth family.

PACT finds, trains, prepares and supports people from across southern and central England who want to become a parent through adoption.

Download our adoption guide

Could you adopt?

Interested to find out how easy it would be for you to adopt? Use our interactive self-assessment tool to find out now!

Take our self assessment

The types of children waiting

Older children


Children who are aged three years or older

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Brothers and sisters


Sibling groups of two, three or more who need to stay together

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Children of Black, mixed and minority ethnicities


Children with Black, Black/White British or minority ethnicities

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Children with additional needs


Children with physical disabilities, developmental delay or other needs

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What is the adoption process?


To adopt a child there is a regulated legal process that all prospective adopters must undertake. PACT is there to support you through every stage.

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Adoption myth busters/FAQs


Many people think they can’t adopt but there are actually very few barriers to adoption. We can help you understand more about who can adopt and what’s involved.

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What is the PACT panel?


PACT’s adoption panel reviews every application to adopt and makes a recommendation to the Agency Decision Maker regarding the applicant’s suitability to adopt. This is part of the legal process to be an approved adopter.

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Early permanence


Early permanence is when a young baby is placed with potential adopters who are also approved as temporary foster carers while decisions are made about the child’s future within the family court process.

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Why choose PACT?

PACT is an independent adoption charity that has been helping people become parents through adoption for more than 70 years. We have been rated outstanding in our last three Ofsted inspections and we offer all our families support for life.

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To anyone considering adoption I’d say ‘Do it! Jump all over it!’ It’s the best thing we’ve ever done!”

Hannah, PACT adopter

Adopter stories

These are some of the many stories from families who adopted with PACT.
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Adopter stories

These are some of the many stories from families who adopted with PACT.
Find out more