Adoption

Adoption is a legal process through which an individual or couple becomes the legal parent(s) of a child who is not biologically their own. This process includes the transfer of parental rights and responsibilities from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. Adoption can provide a permanent and stable home for a child who is unable to live with their birth family due to various reasons such as neglect, abuse, or the parents’ inability to care for them. The adoptive parents assume all legal rights, duties, and protections of parenthood for the child, and the child may also receive a new surname. Adoption can take place through various means, including public adoption agencies, private adoption agencies, or independent arrangements. In the UK, there are different types of adoption, including domestic adoption, international adoption, and step-parent adoption. The process typically involves assessments, background checks, and legal proceedings to ensure that the adoption is in the best interest of the child. Once finalized, the adoptive family is regarded as the child's legal family, and the adoption is generally irrevocable.