I have pets – can I adopt?

Many children thrive in a home that has existing family pets, and as long as a pet does not pose a threat to a child’s health or safety then it will not prevent you from adopting.

You will be asked to complete a pet questionnaire as part of the assessment process, and our team will be very happy to talk to you and offer further guidance around this.

If you would like to know more about adoption and starting the adoption process with ARC Adoption North East and the support available, please contact us.

Latest

Adopting a child with additional needs - advice from adopters

ARC Adoption has come together with other voluntary adoption agencies and parents, to create an advice guide related to adopting children who have additional needs or disabilities.
Face to Face Adoption Information Event - Saturday 11th May 2024

Join our friendly team in Sunderland for an information event about adoption and get all of your questions answered. An adoptive parent will also come along to share their own experience with the group.
Virtual Adoption Information Event - Thursday 2nd May 2024

If you are interested in finding out more about adopting, our information events are a great way to get all of your questions answered in a friendly and informal environment.
Writing Contact Letters Virtual Workshop - Wednesday 15th May 2024

Would you like support when writing letters to your child's birth family? The team at ARC Adoption North East would like to invite their families to writing contact letters workshop.

Gillian and Ryan's story - adopting sisters

We spoke to parents Gillian and Ryan, who adopted two sisters with our support in 2016. Here they talk about meeting their children, the wonderful impact their girls have made on their lives, and offer advice for others thinking about adopting siblings.
How adoption works

Adoption is a way of providing new families for children who cannot be looked after by their birth parents and need to belong to a new family.
Matching panel

Once the family finding process is complete the match will need to be agreed formally by the adoption panel for the child’s agency. If approval is recommended by the adoption panel for the match, the child’s adoption agency decision maker then makes the final decision.
How long does the UK adoption process take?
Early Permanence

With Early Permanence adoption, prospective adopters are also temporarily approved as foster carers so they can provide early stability and continuity of care to a baby, child or siblings who they may go on to adopt.
Contact us

At ARC Adoption North East we value your opinion. All compliments, comments and complaints are accepted and considered with the greatest respect. Your feedback is welcomed to help develop ARC Adoption North East’s services.
Checks and references

Stage one of the adoption process begins after you have received some general information, an initial visit at your home and ARC Adoption North East are in receipt of your ‘registration of interest’ from you.
Initial visit

Following your initial enquiry, if you would like to progress with the adoption process a member of ARC Adoption North East’s team will visit you in your home. The initial visit will be very informal and take place at a date and time that is convenient for you and will last about two hours. It’s an opportunity to have your questions answered in more detail and help the team get to know you better.
Finding the right child for you

Once you become an approved adopter, it’s time to start looking for the right child or children that will join your family.
Sisters in need of a loving home. Could you be their family?

We are looking for a loving home for a 4 year old little girl, and her 6 year old sister who has complex health and care needs. Find out more about them on our special webpage.