Download: Your Guide to Adopting a Child - new changes in the law (375 kb)
This leaflet explains the key changes under the Adoption and Children Act for adoptive parents. It provides information for people who are thinking about adoption and those who are currently going through the process of adopting a child.

Download: Adopting a Child - Transitional Arrangements (481 kb)
Any ongoing case being managed by an adoption agency before the implementation of the new Act on 30 December 2005 is a 'transitional case'. This leaflet explains to prospective adopters involved in transitional cases how these will be handled.

Download: A Guide for the Child's Parents on changes in the law (337 kb)
This leaflet provides information for the parents of children who may be adopted or who have been adopted. Parents are likely to have lots of questions about what's going to happen, the legal implications, their rights and where to turn for help. Help and advice is available before and after the adoption. The leaflet gives details of national support groups and sources of further information and advice.

Download: Services for Adopted Adults who want to trace birth relatives (365 kb)
The new Adoption and Children Act means that from 30 December 2005, adopted adults and their adult birth relatives will have a new right to apply to an intermediary agency to trace a birth relative and establish if contact would be welcome.

This leaflet explains the key changes for adopted adults, what intermediary services are and how adopted adults may make use of the Adoption Contact Register. It also provides a list of useful websites for more information.

Download: Your Guide to Special Guardianship (541 kb)
The Adoption and Children Act 2002 provides the new option of Special Guardianship as a way of providing a permanent home for children in care. Special Guardianship is a way of providing a firm foundation for a lifelong permanent relationship between a child and their carer. It's legally secure and also preserves the basic link between the child and the family.

Download: A Guide for the Child's Relatives on changes in the law (333 kb)
This leaflet provides information for the relatives (e.g. grandparents, aunt, uncle, brother or sister) of children who may be adopted or who have been adopted. Relatives are likely to have lots of questions about what's going to happen, the legal implications, their rights and where to turn for help. Help and advice is available before and after the adoption.

Download: Talking About Adoption - for children under 10 (585 kb)
This leaflet is aimed at children under 10. They may have lots of questions about adoption. This leaflet explains some of the key issues: what adoption is, what it means for children to be adopted and join a new family, what adopters are like, how my birth family will know that they are OK etc. It also encourages the child to talk to their social worker or children's guardian and gives further sources of information and support.

Download: Talking About Adoption - for young people over 10 (218 kb)
This leaflet is aimed at young people over 10. They may have lots of questions about adoption. This leaflet explains some of the key issues: what adoption is, what it's like to be adopted and join a new family, what adopters are like, contact arrangements with their birth family etc. It also encourages the young people to talk to their social worker or children's guardian and gives further sources of information and support.