About adoption

Can the council help me adopt a child?

Yes, we offer adoption services, support and advice through a regional adoption agency called One Adoption – North & Humber comprising of five local councils, including our own. The others are:

• York City Council
• Hull City Council
• North East Lincolnshire Council
• North Yorkshire County Council

Find out more about the services offered by One Adoption and how to get in touch with One Adoption.

Why is the council part of One Adoption North & Humber?

One Adoption North & Humber brings many benefits for both adoptive parents and children in our region. Our joined-up approach to delivering adoption services will:

• allow children to be placed in a more timely way
• help support you on your adoption journey
• reach a wider audience of potential adopters
• enable us to develop our services more effectively
• share good practice across the region.

Our adoption staff will continue to work in our local area, with children’s social work staff, to ensure continuity of care and support for children and families. Our priority is to place children needing adoption as quickly as possible, with families who are able to meet their needs, while streamlining the assessment and approval process for people who want to adopt.

Where can I get information and advice about adoption?

There’s lots of useful information on the One Adoption website about adopting and becoming an adoptive parent in the North and Humber region:

• who can adopt
• children who need adopting
• the adoption process
• family stories
• support for families who adopt
• adoption information events
• frequently asked questions about adoption
• adopting a step-child.

You can also visit the national First4Adoption website for further adoption information.

What support will I receive?

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has a dedicated adoption support team to provide training, guidance and family activities to all East Riding adoptive families. 

We have a dedicated ‘post box co-ordinator’ who facilitates indirect contact between birth families and adopted children.

We also have a service level agreement with the charitable organisation, ‘After Adoption’ to provide support and guidance for adopted people once they turned 18.

How can I contact One Adoption for more information?

If you live in the North and Humber region, you can get in touch for advice and information: