Many of the children come with a family history of mental illness, learning difficulties, drug or alcohol abuse. All of these may have implications for their own development. This may result from lack of care or from experiences that leave the child mistrustful of adults, and possibly with difficulties in forming relationships. They may have experienced many moves and changes in their lives. They may have been abused, or neglected in their birth families.

When we plan a permanent placement for a child great care is taken over the matching of the child to you and your family. Everyone will need time to hear about each other and make a decision about whether they are right for each other. All children placed for adoption will need help to come to terms with what has happened to them in the past. Children placed for adoption are likely to remain in limited contact with their birth family. This could mean anything from an annual letter to occasional planned meetings.

Only a few very young babies are available for adoption.

Many people want to adopt them, but we are only occasionally able to match very young babies.

If you want to discuss this further, please contact us at the Family Placement Unit.

Kirklees aims to place children for adoption up to the age of 7/8 years old. Caring for these children is not easy. We would expect that people adopting them would be prepared to tackle problems and difficult behaviour, such as eating problems, destructiveness or difficulty in forming relationships.

Many children are part of a family group of two or three brothers and sisters. For most sibling groups, it is important that they stay together, where appropriate or possible. Some groups of brothers and sisters are separated because their needs cannot be met, or because no suitable family comes forward.

If separated, most brothers and sisters will have some form of contact with each other after adoption.