First4Adoption is the national information service for people interested in adopting a child in England. We give clear and impartial information about adopting and can put you in touch with adoption agencies in your area.
The service was launched in 2013 and was funded by the Department for Education until April 2018. The service is now provided via licence by Coram.
Where we can’t help you
Our service only covers adoption in England. If you have questions about adopting in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland you will need to approach the authorities in those countries.
Wales
The National Adoption Service
Scotland
St Andrews Children’s Centre
Northern Ireland
Health and Social Care (HSC) Adoption & Fostering
Fostering is a hugely important commitment and many parents who foster also consider adoption. But First4Adoption is about adoption first. If you want to know more about fostering we suggest you visit CoramBAAF or the Fostering Network who both have some great resources on fostering in the UK.
If you are thinking about adopting a child from abroad we suggest you contact the Intercountry Adoption Centre advice line on 020 8447 4753, where their qualified social workers will be able to advise you. But remember that inter-country adoption is a more complicated process than adopting children from within the UK, as both UK law and the laws of the child’s birth country will apply.
Confidentiality
First4Adoption takes confidentiality seriously and offers a confidential service to those who contact us. You can choose to remain anonymous however sharing your information helps us to provide you with the best service.
Any personal information that you choose to give us will be held securely and in compliance with data protection law, and will not be shared with anyone else outside First4Adoption without your express consent.
Your information will be used for limited purposes which are:
- To respond to your enquiry and provide you with information that you have requested
- For quality assurance, training and internal monitoring and evaluation
- To provide non-identifying data required by our funders
- To invite you to complete a telephone or written survey about our service and the progress of your adoption journey
- Feedback quotes may be used anonymously in First4Adoption promotional materials
The rare exceptions when we may breach confidentiality by disclosing information without your consent would be:
- If a child is at risk of abuse or other significant harm
- If you, or another adult, are at immediate life-threatening risk of harm
- If a credible threat of harm is made against our staff or service
- When legally required, e.g. terrorism threat
In any case where we are considering breaching your confidentiality we will discuss this with you first unless it is not practicable do so.