There are some things that may make your application less straight forward. One is if you have suffered mental health problems in the past
or if you have a criminal conviction. Agency staff will be able to advise you how this might affect your application. If you have committed a criminal offence you will not, in most cases be excluded from applying. With the exception of some very serious offences the agency will consider the offence/s, the circumstances, and the likelihood of you offending in the future.
Your Application is likely to be rejected completely if you have a criminal conviction for offences against children or another very serious offence.
If you feel that this might apply to you we would advise that you ask the Adoption Agency for confirmation that the offence excludes you from becoming an approved adopter. They will be able to tell you if the current legislation excludes you from adopting.
It may also be rejected if you are not a UK resident as at least one of a couple must be domiciled in the UK. If either you or your partner are under 21 you will be asked to wait. You need to be 21 to adopt, or if you are a couple you need to both be over that age. The only exception to this is for some step-parents adoptions. Most agencies will not consider applicants under the age of 25 as they feel that such a life changing decision requires considerable maturity.

Refusal again, is likely if you have had a child of your own that was 'taken into care'. Agency staff should be advised of all the facts and circumstances, but you should expect them to be quite negative about you making an application to adopt.


Hope this is of some use.