Can I adopt or foster if I have a criminal record?
People with a criminal conviction or caution for specified criminal offences against children, or some sexual offences against adults, cannot adopt or foster
For those with criminal records that fall outside these two categories, it is best to be honest and talk it through with your agency: this includes talking about offences or cautions that happened many years ago. If you are not honest from the beginning, this will be taken very seriously by the agency, and may affect their decision to assess or approve you.
Find out more about the assessment process for adoption and fostering.
Last updated: 01 March 10
