parent with adopted daughter

Ready When You Are

The Perfect Time is a Myth

The perfect time to have children doesn’t exist – ask any parent.
But the right time? That’s different.
The right time is when you have love to give, stability to offer, and commitment to see it through. The right time is when you’re willing to grow, learn, and build a family in your own unique way.
The right time might be now.

Ready when you are.

A 2024 You Can Adopt survey revealed that 7 in ten (70%) parents said they ‘never felt truly prepared’ to be a parent, and 77% said there is no such thing as a ‘perfect time’ to start a family. While 81% felt it was the most challenging thing they have ever done; this was outweighed by the 85% who consider parenting as the most rewarding experience of their lives.

With 12% fewer families stepping forward to register to adopt (compared to last year) and pressure to feel ‘ready’ – we’re here to tell you there is no ‘perfect’ time to adopt.

 

children playing with crayons

April, adoptive mother to her son Alexander:

“I used to think I had to wait for the perfect time, the perfect house, the perfect setup – but the truth is, love doesn’t wait. Alexander came into my life and filled it with colour, chaos, and more joy than I ever imagined. It’s the everyday moments that remind me we’re exactly where we’re meant to be.”

Am I eligible?

What Ready Really Means

You DON’T need:

  • To own your home (renters adopt successfully every day)
  • To be married or in a relationship (single adopters make incredible parents)
  • To be under 40 (there’s no upper age limit)
  • A huge house (children need safety and love, not square footage)
  • To quit your job (childcare arrangements work for adoptive families too)
  • Perfect physical health (reasonable health and energy is what matters)

You DO need:

  • Emotional stability and resilience
  • The ability to provide a safe, stable home
  • Time and commitment for a child
  • Openness to support and learning
  • Understanding that adoption has unique challenges
  • Love, patience, and a sense of humour

Considering Adoption

If you are considering adoption, your first steps are to be curious and find out as much as you can.

  1. Attend one of our Information Events – online or in person
  2. Download our Information Booklet – to learn more about the process
  3. Read through the FAQ‘s
  4. Contact us with any questions you may have

 

The adoption process:

The adoption process in England is a legally regulated process. It is designed to ensure that all adoptive parents are properly prepared and assessed to be able to meet the needs of children who have experienced loss and trauma.

Once you start the adoption process, it will take around six months for you to be approved as an adopter. You will have a dedicated social worker who will guide and support you throughout this period.

Adoption Process