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.
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!
Get in touch to find out more about adoption
Talk to our friendly enquiries team today
The types of children waiting
Children of Black, mixed and minority ethnicities
Children with Black, Black/White British or minority ethnicities
Learn moreChildren with additional needs
Children with physical disabilities, developmental delay or other needs
Learn more
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.
Read moreAdoption 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.
Read moreWhat 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.
Read moreEarly 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.
Read moreCome to an information event to find out more
Book on to one of our online information events
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.
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
We’ve had a smooth journey with PACT and we’re forever grateful for [our social worker]. She’s been brilliant, and the whole PACT team have been wonderful.
PACT parent
The social worker I was assigned to was very good. I felt that she understood where I was coming from and I was able to talk through issues without feeling there was any judgment formed against me.
PACT parent
PACT has been on hand at every stage to help with any query we had. Our social worker responded quickly to all of our emails, and even when things were tricky they were proactively checking in with us. Even now that the Adoption Order has been granted we are still able to contact them for help and support, which is tremendously reassuring for the future.
PACT parent
One of our key priorities was that there would be support longer term if we needed it and we were really impressed with PACT’s training and support events, as well as their dedicated therapeutic social workers who would be available for support after our child came home.
PACT parent
I really feel that PACT prepared us brilliantly for the transition and the early days. We will always be learning but I come back to things from training every day!
PACT parent
I felt I was well equipped and informed at each part of the journey and the training days were interesting and enlightening.
PACT parent
