Rochdale Adoption Team

Adoption is an open process. Children who are adopted have a right to know about their birth family and the reasons why they were adopted. Research shows adopted children need as much information as possible about their birth family and in many cases children maintain some contact with birth family members.

Adoption for a child means becoming part of a new family, taking that family's surname and being given the same rights, privileges and love and care as if they had been a birth child to that family.

Adoption for the new parent means all the parental responsibilities and duties of birth parents are transferred to you once an Adoption Order is made by the court. You then have the same rights and responsibilities as all other parents.

There are a small number of birth parents who ask us to place their child for adoption. However the vast majority of children waiting for an adoptive family in the UK are currently being cared for by local authorities.

We are keen to recruit a wide range of families especially those who can consider those with extra needs, sibling groups, older children, children of mixed race backgrounds and those with a disability.

Foster carers look after children who can't live with their birth parents. This can be on a respite, short or long term basis and the child usually remains the legal responsibility of the local authority.

Adoption means you become the legal parent to the child. Once you adopt you assume all responsibility for the child. However, adoptive parents, adoptive children and birth relatives can call upon the local authority for help and support as and when needed.

If you are interested in adoption, please get in touch.