Who can adopt?

You're eligible to adopt a child if you're 21 or over, as long as you can provide a permanent, caring and stable home.

There's no upper age limit, but you need to demonstrate you're healthy enough and have the necessary commitment and energy to bring up a child. You can apply to adopt regardless of marital status, sexuality, race or religion, whether you're in work or have a disability.

During the adoption process, applicants undergo a full medical check-up.

An adoption panel will assess your application and check whether you have a criminal record. Convictions won't necessarily rule you out unless you or a member of your household has been cautioned or convicted of an offence against a child. Other serious offences that could affect your application include rape and violent assault.

You don't need to be wealthy or own your own home to adopt, but you do need to show you can support a child financially. If you do adopt, you can apply for tax credits and benefits to supplement your income. Financial help may also be available in the form of one-off or regular payments.

Who needs adopting?

According to the British Association for Adoption & Fostering, more than 4,000 children are waiting to be placed permanently with new families in the UK. They come from a range of races, religions and backgrounds, and have many different needs.

The average age for adoption is four and about two-thirds of adopted children are placed with a family before their fifth birthday.

Adopted children often have complex family backgrounds. Placing siblings in the same family can be beneficial, but when it's in the children's best interests they'll be separated. This is often the case when one or all the children have special needs.