Adoption and fostering

Single people and gay and lesbian couples can also apply to adopt or foster children. There are many children currently waiting to be adopted and fostered in the UK. This can be a very rewarding way to enjoy family life.

Adoption and fostering aren’t easy routes though, and they’re not right for everyone. Many of the children waiting for adoption or fostering have had to cope with a lot of upset in their lives. Some have a lot of emotional needs and feel insecure as a result.

There are very few babies and toddlers in need of adoption. It’s usually slightly older children who need adoptive families, so you miss out on their early lives.

Some people go to other countries to adopt and then bring the children back to the UK. This can bring even more challenges and needs to be thought through very carefully. Many countries have now stopped this type of adoption because so many adoptive families found it difficult to manage.

If you’re interested in finding out more about adoption or fostering, you can ask:

• your social worker (if you have one)
• your local social services department (who should be listed in the phone book under the name of your local council)
• our cancer support specialists, who will be able to give you advice.