How Much Does Child Adoption Cost in the UK?

Adoption is a very personal and rewarding journey that gives children the opportunity to grow up in loving, stable homes. Many of the questions asked deal with the emotional and logistic aspects of adoption, but one frequently asked question is about the financial impacts involved.

In the United Kingdom, child adoption is a process that is regulated in minute details, and adoption charges vary depending on the type of adoption and the circumstances surrounding it. The article thus provides very detailed insights into the costs incurred, legal frameworks, and support while understanding the legal framework.

In the UK, adoptions are covered by various legal instruments, including the Adoption and Children Act 2002 for England and Wales, the Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act 2007, and the Adoption (Northern Ireland) Order 1987. It ensures that the process of adoption is always put to the best interest of the child. Local authorities and registered adoption agencies play a central role in facilitating the process.

Costs of Child Adoption through Local Authorities:

Local authorities are responsible for finding adoptive families for children in care. The costs of adoption through a local authority in the UK are free of charge. There are no fees charged to adopters; however, rigorous assessments, home visits, and training sessions are part of the process.
However, indirect costs which prospective adopters must expect are:
•Medical Reports: Some Agencies would ask for health assessment from the GP, and the local authority sometimes pays while other GPs charge for it usually at between £50-£200.
•Travel Expenses: To be adopted sometimes requires several meetings, training, as well as being taken to various courts, which can put one into a spending spree of traveling.
•Time off Work: The approval process for adopting can take up a lot of time, and prospective adopters may have to take unpaid leave for meetings and training.

Costs of Adopting through a Voluntary Agency:

Voluntary adoption agencies are non-profit organizations that partner with local authorities to find a home for the child. Like the above agencies, they do not charge any fee for their services, but may have some additional requirements or procedures. Indirect costs in such cases would include medical fees and travel expenses, which are applicable.

Read Also: How Long Does a D81 Form Take to Process? A Complete Timeline Guide

Costs of Intercountry Adoption:

Intercountry adoption is much more expensive than domestic adoption. It is covered by The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, and both the laws of the UK and those of the child’s country of origin must be followed. Costs of international adoption include:
1. Assessment Fees: These range from £1,500 to £3,000 for the home study and approval process.
2. Fee to apply: Some countries are paid application fees and processing fee which varies by different amounts
3. Travelling and stay: Adopting parents have to make frequent visits to the child’s home country, making this costlier on travelling and stay.
4. Legal fee, translation: Paper works, legal solicitor abroad. Adding thousands to the final sum. The complete amount of the process can lie in between the sum of £12,000 and £25,000 depending upon the respective countries and condition.

Legal Fees of Adoption Orders:

After the placement process, adopters should seek an Adoption Order by means of application at the family courts. Here, they would acquire full parental rights. An application fee for an Adoption Order presently stands at £183 (as of January 2025). This is normally provided by the adoptive parents, but some local authorities provide it as well.

Financial Support for Adopters:

The UK government and local authorities provide various forms of financial support to adoptive families, including:
1. Adoption Allowances: In some situations, especially when children have special needs, their adoptive parents receive a regular adoption allowance, which is then used to help cover the cost of ongoing expenses.
2. Adoption Leave and Pay: Adoptive parents are allowed to have statutory adoption leave and pay, like maternity leave, so that their finances are guaranteed in the early bonding period.
3. Child Benefit and Tax Credits: Adopted children are treated as biological children for child benefit, and, depending on the case, Universal Credit or tax credits.
4. Support for Intercountry Adoption: Some grants or loans may be available to offset the very high costs of intercountry adoption.

Additional Considerations:

Adoption is one of those life-altering decisions and even though finances will have their weight in decision making, this does not undermine emotional, legal, or practical concerns. There is advice given from solicitors, adoption agencies, and adoption support services which explain prospective adopters’ rights and responsibilities.

For the aforementioned process, one would get significant amounts of advice from services such as CoramBAAF, Adoption UK, and First4Adoption.

Conclusion:

On the other hand, UK adoption options may vary from free to entail a highly financial investment upon their kind of adoption. General domestic adoptions from local authorities or voluntary agencies are more or less free, while intercountry adoptions can be much costlier.

With knowledge about the legal, the associated costs, and the support systems, would-be adopters would make more confident decisions about their process. Ultimately, adoption is a very rewarding activity that gives children the stability and love they need to thrive.

For further advice please get in touch with our team today by calling 020 8538 0182 or +44 7857 809932, or you can email us on [email protected].

Please note these blogs are to enhance your knowledge and are not tailored advice, for specific advice please get in touch with our outstanding team.