Adoption

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Adoption is a way of providing a new family for children who cannot be brought up by their own parents. It is a legal procedure in which all the parental responsibilities are transferred to the adopters. Once an adoption order has been granted, it can't be reversed unless the child is re-adopted. An adopted child loses all legal ties with their first mother and father (the 'birth parents') and becomes a full member of the new family, usually taking the family's name.

If you are only interested in adopting a child in the birth to two years age range, and if you meet the criteria for a child of this age, you should contact the Glasgow and West of Scotland Adoption Service (GWSAS). This service matches approved baby adopters with children aged two and under. GWSAS is a partnership of the 10 local authorities who work together to recruit, prepare and assess adoptive parents for children in this age range.

You may also be able to adopt from overseas; however, the law requires that British people who wish to adopt children from overseas are prepared, assessed and approved in a similar way to adopters from this country. Like other local authorities and voluntary adoption agencies, we will make a charge for this service.

You can get more information on adoption by using the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) box at the top of the page. You can also contact us for advice in the following ways.

Complete this on-line form:

Fostering and adoption request for information on-line

or email: childcare@renfrewshire.gov.uk

or telephone: 0141 842 5158

Alternatively, you can call in or write to us at:

Renfrewshire Fostering and Adoption Services
Paisley Area Team
Abbey House
8 Seedhill Road
Paisley
PA1 1AJ

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