Adoption and finances

[TeaChocKitKat]

It's very early days but I am considering applying to adopt as a single mum. Im doing lots of research before pursuing anything. Emotionally and logistically I think I can do it but I need to consider if I could financially do it.

I have a good job and earn just shy of £50k a year. However following a relationship break up, I recently had to take on a new big mortgage on my own and it means money is tight afterwards.

Would I be entitled to any any additional money/ benefits to help with childcare etc. ? I have no idea what my entitlements would be as a single working mum. I would be looking at adopting a slightly older, school age child.

It seems ridiculous having to ask this on a good salary but my mortgage is big and my main sticking point over proceeding or not is if I could afford it.

Thanks

Hi @TeaChocKitKat you are only eligible for the same benefits as with a birth child. For example child benefit, tax credits/UC.

Also, if any child has additional needs whether that is a birth child or adopted child you can apply for DLA. And if you are caring for the child and earn something like less than £130 a week you can apply for Carers Allowence.

Sometimes a child's Placing Local Authority will offer an Adoption Allowance reviewed annually. This is means tested. Examples of where this might be offered are sibling groups, a child with significant addition needs or an older child where it is proving very difficult to find a forever family for. Also sometimes the Placing Local Authority will offer a settling in grant. A one off sum to help pay for some big items e.g carseat, bed.

Adoption Allowances and settling in grants are now incredibly incredibly rare to be offered.

I know you havent specifically asked this but many Adopters whether they are single or in a duo find they have to return to work part time or have to give up work. Children can be a certain way in foster care but as they get older or when they move to their Forever family their behaviours and difficulties become more apparent. E.g Attachment issues, ASD/ADHD, FASD.

I myself spent years paying off chunks of my mortgage prior to starting the Assessment. And a few months after my son then 4 came home the mortgage was all paid off. This is a good job as I had to leave work and will be unable to work for years due to his additional needs.

I am in no way at all trying to be negative. I am just being truthful about finances.

That's really helpful thanks.

I just wanted to add that there are many.families who do manage to continue working full time and the adopted children can manage before/after school club and holiday clubs.

Prospective Adopters need to go into the process having plans in place for various scenarios.

@TeaChocKitKat

hi, I’m a single adopter. I adopted on a lot less than you, thought I guess my salary bought a lot more than it does today☹️

I havent a clue what you would be entitled to on that level of salary so I suggest that you do the benefit calculator to give you an indication. Do it for your current salary and also £10k lower.
I say this because I’d also advise that you think very carefully about what you want life to look like when you have a child at home.
Personally I was never motivated by having a big career, I also adopted at 47 so was more than happy to go part time.

Initially I worked four short days so I could do all school runs, when he went to secondary I switched to three 9-5 days, and then up to 4 days (0.8 fte) when he was 15.
This suited us a family, I had sufficient flexibility that I could organise therapy, complete endless forms for EHCPs, DLA, etc etc, outside of my working hours.
Flexibilty in your job is essential.
As a single adopter I also think its important that you have some down time - could be just going to the hairdresser or out for a coffee without a child hanging off you. You need time to recharge.
Many of my single adopter friends who pushed through full time struggled a lot more than I did and regret not reducing hours.

I was fortunate, my son loved school, would happily have stayed in after school clubs till midnight, and gone to school on Saturday. On one level great, but not really when what he needed was nurturing and spending time with me.

Many adopters end up ‘assembling’ income, earned income plus some benefits.
I was very fortunate to get an adoption allowance, this brought me up to the equivilant of my full time salary. My son also got DLA, this brought me enhanced tax credits, ( without DLA I wouldnt have been eligible for tax credits)
Dont be put off by the name, children do not need a diagnosis to qualify for DLA, the test is whether a child needs more care than the average child of the same age, and most adoptees do.