Can I adopt a member of my family?
Adopting a member of your family
The law in England, Wales and Scotland allows a parent to place their child for adoption with the child’s siblings, uncle, aunt or grandparent, without the agreement of an adoption agency. For a child who is unable to live with their birth parents, adoption by a member of their extended family may be the next best option. However, there are other ways of providing a child with legal security that gives the carers parental responsibility, without legally cutting a child’s ties with their birth parents, which would be the case with an adoption order. Options include a special guardianship order, or a residence order.
For children in care, where it is not possible for them to return to their birth parents, adoption agencies may consider alternative carers within the birth family as the next best option. If you would like to consider offering a permanent home to a child relative in care, you should contact the child’s social worker or the local authority caring for them, as soon as possible for further discussion.
Many grandparents consider adopting their grandchild if their son or daughter is unable to look after them. For support and advice see The Grandparents' Association.
Last updated: 19 December 07
