Adoption

We are a proud member of Adoption Tees Valley, the regional adoption agency for the area.

This partnership brings together five councils to deliver adoption services across the region. By working together, we can offer:

  • greater choice for children and adopters
  • improved support services
  • a more efficient matching process

Each council retains responsibility for children from its area, but shares information to help find the best outcomes for children.

What does Adoption Tees Valley do?

Adoption Tees Valley provides:

  • recruitment and assessment of adoptive families
  • family-finding for children needing adoption
  • adoption support for:
    • adopted children and their families
    • birth families
    • adopted adults

Learn more at Adoption Tees Valley

Help for people affected by adoption

Accessing adoption records

If you’ve been adopted or are looking for someone who was adopted, visit:
Accessing your birth records – GOV.UK

Adopting your partner’s child

If you are considering adopting your partner’s child, please be aware:

  • adoption has lifelong implications for the child and their birth family
  • it should only be pursued when it is in the best interests of the child
  • the needs of children in the care system are prioritised, which may lead to delays in processing partner adoptions

Alternatives to adoption include:

  • parental responsibility agreements or court orders (for married/civil partners)
  • changing a child’s surname by deed poll (with consent from all with parental responsibility)
  • nominating a partner as guardian in a will