Find out about adoption in North Lincolnshire and what support you can receive.
{content}
Adoption in North Lincolnshire
Thinking about adopting? Time to talk to us!
North Lincolnshire Council’s small, experienced and dedicated adoption team, rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, work hard to provide the best possible service for children and families.
The council’s adoption service is part of Family Adoption Links. To find out more about how to adopt, post adoption support and more, please visit their website.
North Lincolnshire
Local adoptive parents’ experiences
Watch the video below to find out more.
Adoption – Statement of Purpose
Every Adoption Service has to write an Adoption Statement of Purpose. This is so that everyone knows what the Adoption Service does and the rules that it has to follow. A Young People Adoption Statement of Purpose is also available.
Special Guardianship Order – Statement of Purpose
Special guardianship provides permanence for children when they are unable to remain with their parents until they are 18.
The Special Guardianship Statement of Purpose [PDF, 625 Kb] outlines the support that is available.
Ofsted regulates the adoption service and carries out inspections to assess that we are meeting the Adoption National Minimum Standards.
We proudly hold an ‘Outstanding’ judgement from our last inspection in 2026. You can read the Ofsted report on the Ofsted website.
Access to birth records is covered by legislation that differs depending on the date of the adoption order. Key dates are 12 November 1975 and 30 December 2005 with the process varying dependent on whether the adoption order was granted before or after these dates.
In all cases, Family Adoption Links – North Lincolnshire, can provide advice and support to adult adoptees living in North Lincolnshire, who wish to find out more about their adoption and birth history and may want to explore tracing birth family members. In some cases, this support is a legal requirement before requesting an original birth certificate. You may already have some birth family details that will enable you to start the process or may need help to gather these.
We recommend contacting us to discuss your own situation and needs. Family Adoption Links – North Lincolnshire, provide a duty service each afternoon from Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). An adoption social worker is available by phone or email to offer guidance and take a referral for support if required. This service is available between 1pm and 5pm (4.30pm on Fridays). The phone number is 01724297024 and the email address is adoption@northlincs.gov.uk . Support can be provided at other times by arrangement.
Further information is available:
- Accessing records and tracing birth relatives – Adoption UK
- Adoption records – Gov.uk
- FamilyConnect