Adoption is a lifetime commitment to a child who, for some reason, can't be brought up by their birth family.
As an adopter, you become the child's only legal parent(s). You'll have the right to make all decisions about the child and their upbringing. Any legal connection to the child's birth family ends.
Most adoptions do involve some form of contact with birth family members - usually an exchange of letters once or twice a year, through the adoption agency.
Adopters, like children, are all individuals. We look for a variety of adoptive families to meet children's needs for their personalities, interests, background and previous experiences.
In Slough we have children from different racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds who need adoptive families. We recognise children often do best in families that reflect their heritage or can positively promote it, and so welcome enquiries from people from all backgrounds.
You don't have to live in Slough to apply to adopt through us. We consider applicants who:
We look forward to hearing from people just like you.
Whatever children may have experienced in their past, you could help make a difference to their lives.
The majority of children waiting for new families have come to the attention of the local authority because of concerns with the level of care from their birth family.
The majority of people who want to adopt want a child as young as possible. There are very few babies who've been voluntarily given for adoption by the birth family. Babies who do need adoptive families may have been exposed prenatally to drugs or alcohol and so their future developmental needs may be uncertain.
Most children who need adoptive families are pre-school and school age children rather than babies. We urgently need adopters for older children - 5 years old or over. We also need adopters who can care for sibling groups as we always try and keep brothers and sisters together if this is possible and in the best interests of the children.
All children who need adopting have been separated from their birth family. There may also be other factors in their background such as neglect, abuse, changes of carer or health problems. These experiences sometimes cause developmental delay, and some uncertainty about the child's future and their emotional and physical needs.
We need adopters who can offer these children a secure and stable family environment to thrive in and enjoy.
We provide information, preparation, training, support and guidance through the adoption process and beyond.
All adoption placements have support plans drawn up. This may include financial support.
For more details on adoption, please contact the Family Placement Service on 0800 073 0291 or email us at familyplacement@slough.gov.uk.
'I have received excellent support and communication from the adoption team during both of my adoption experiences. I would definitely recommend Slough adoption service to others.' adopter
'Adoption had been playing on my mind for a few years, and I had wrongly assumed it wouldn’t be possible for us – how wrong I was. I would advise people to start asking questions, you might be surprised.' adopter
'The pace of the introductions has been just right, we really got to know our daughter before she came to live with us.' adopter
'I feel like all my dreams have come true.' adopted child
'For me, I was amazed at how quickly our son settled with us and our family – and we with him.' adopter
For all enquiries please contact the Customer Service Centre
01753 475111
01753 875030
MyCouncil
Landmark Place
High Street, Slough
SL1 1JL, opposite
Slough Library
MyCouncil opening times.
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