Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly Adoption Agency are committed to working in an anti-discriminatory manner. We ensure that any person who approaches us about adoption will not be discriminated against on the grounds of: race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion/belief, age, marital status or economic status.
We are actively recruiting for more black and minority ethnic individuals and couples as we are under represented and are missing a vital resource for our children. We also need adopters for children aged 5 and over and siblings groups to come forward.
What services does the Council provide?
The main work of the Adoption Service is to find families for children who need them.
Other services provided are:
- assessing and supporting prospective adopters
- birth record enquiries
- step-parent adoptions
- post-adoption counselling
- counselling natural parents
Who can apply to adopt a child?
The overriding principle is that each application will be considered on its own merits as to whether a child’s needs can be met.
There are some basic criteria for those who wish to adopt, which are:
- applicants should be fully resident in Cornwall
- applicants should be over the age of 21 years
- applications are not accepted from those continuing infertility treatment
Is there an upper age limit?
There is no other age criteria. Each application is considered in terms of the needs of children, and consideration is given to the average child-rearing span.
Which children need adoptive homes?
The old idea that adoption was for babies is no longer true. There will always be a number of babies needing families, but there are an increasing number of older children and sibling groups (brothers and sisters) who need a caring, stable home.
How do I find out more?
If you would like further information about adoption matters, please contact:
Cornwall Council and The Council of the Isles of Scilly Adoption Agency,
13 Treyew Road,
Truro, TR1 2BY
01872 322200
Cornwall Council’s adoption page
