Intercountry Adoption

Adopting a child from abroad can be referred to as

• ‘Intercountry’ adoption
• ‘Overseas’ adoption
• ‘Adopting from abroad’.

Adoption Matters Northwest along with the Nugent Care Society works in partnership with Adoption 22 (the 22 North West Local authorities).

Adoption Matters Northwest and Nugent Care have an agreement with the local authorities listed below to provide initial advice on Intercountry Adoption.

• Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
• Blackpool Borough Council
• Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council
• Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
• Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council
• Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
• Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council
• Cumbria County Council
• Lancashire County Council
• Bury Metropolitan Borough Council
• Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council

If you live in any of the above local authority area and are interested in finding out more about Intercountry Adoption please contact the Adoption Matters Northwest, Blackburn (01254 57759)or Chester office (01244 390938) and speak to our duty officer who will help you with your enquiry.

After speaking to an adoption practitioner and having received written information you may wish to continue with your desire to adopt from overseas in which case you will need to ensure that you research the requirements of the country you are considering adopting from and establish that you fulfil these. You also need to meet the criteria for adoption under UK law. We will offer some assistance in this area as we believe it is important that you are making an informed choice.  

Adoption Matters Northwest would strongly recommend that you also seek legal advice to ensure your eligibility.

Intercountry Adoption, as with domestic adoption, is there to meet the needs of the child. The child’s need should be the paramount consideration;

International legislation requires that:

Children who cannot live with their birth parents should be either found a placement with a family member or given the opportunity to live with a family within his or her State of Origin. Intercountry Adoption may be considered as an alternative means of providing a permanent family for a child who cannot be cared for in a suitable family in his or her own country. Intercountry Adoption should take place in the best interests of the child and with the respect for his or her fundamental rights.

Safeguards and standards equivalent to those which apply in domestic adoption should be applied to Intercountry Adoption to protect the welfare of the child. Profit should not be made from the process.(Intercountry Adoption Guide 2003 )

If you live in:

Halton, Warrington, Knowsley, Liverpool, Salford, St Helens, Sefton, Wigan, Wirral, Cheshire and Manchester City Councils.

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