Adoption from Care

Adoption from Foster Care

Following a care order being made, discussions may begin concerning adoption of the child. Our adoption lawyers advice birth parents and relatives contesting an adoption order or seeking contact, prospective adoptive parents in complicated proceedings and the child where a guardian is appointed.

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  • “Naomi is very knowledgeable on adoption and surrogacy. She is solution-focused and open to ideas.”

  • “Naomi Angell is the fount of all knowledge on adoption and surrogacy cases. She is a lawyer to whom judges defer.”

How we can help with adoption from foster care

Since the Adoption and Children Act 2002, the main decision about adoption is normally made either when a care order is made in respect of children or shortly afterwards, with the making of a placement order.

It is at this stage that birth parents and other relatives can contest a future adoption. Their opportunities to do so once the child is placed with adopters are very limited. Normally adopters will be helped by their local authority with the adoption process. However, not all cases are straightforward and we provide advice and representation to all those involved in the adoption process, either legally aided, privately funded or funded by the local authority to:

  • Prospective adopters where there are complications in the adoption proceedings, such as a birth parent applying for leave to contest the adoption on the grounds that their circumstances have changed, or where birth parents or other relatives are applying for contact on the adoption order being made.
  • Birth parents wishing to apply for leave to contest their circumstances have changed since the placement order was made or to apply for contact on adoption.
  • Children where they are made parties to the adoption and when a children’s guardian is likely to have been appointed.
  • Relatives including siblings of the adopted child on cases such as applying for contact on adoption, or after adoption orders have been made.

Services related to adoption from foster care

Find out more about our adoption services:

Expert adoption lawyers

We understand that adoption cases can be complex and emotionally challenging for everyone involved. Our team is here to provide expert advice at every stage of the adoption process. Whether you’re a prospective adopter facing complications such as contested proceedings, a birth parent seeking to challenge a decision or apply for contact, a child involved in the adoption with a children’s guardian, or a relative navigating post-adoption contact issues, our family lawyers can help.

To speak to an adoption lawyer, Naomi Angell, or a member of her team please:

    • Call us on 020 7485 8811, or
    •  Fill in the online form below.

Contact our Adoption Lawyers Today

Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you






    • The firm’s alternative parenting team is headed up by Naomi Angell, handling domestic and international adoption, surrogacy, and fertility issues.

      Legal 500 2025

    • Naomi Angell has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility issues

      Legal 500 2023

    • Naomi Angell is a renowned practitioner in the market with a wealth of experience in family cases involving immigration issues. She has a depth of knowledge in surrogacy issues and is respected for her experience handling adoption matters.

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "She is responsive and very knowledgeable – she knows everything on the family law side of adoption and is also very generous with her time."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "Naomi is second to none in her knowledge of adoption and her work in surrogacy is also a strength."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "She has an encyclopaedic knowledge and an in-depth understanding of this work. She's extremely empathetic and can put herself in the client's shoes. She's also very strategic and is good at pre-empting litigation."

      Chambers UK 2023

    • "Their family department is very strong, from adoption to child abduction and matrimonial finance, this is a very strong team."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "Naomi Angell is a stand out individual who is well regarded as to the go-to lawyer in her field. What Naomi doesn’t know about adoption is not worth knowing."

      Legal 500 2023

    • "She is the queen of inter-country adoption. She is experienced in the field over a long period of time. She has wonderful client skills and is committed to getting proper outcomes."

      Chambers UK 2022

    • "She is an adoption superstar. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of immigration law, and knows what's on the horizon due to her involvement in policy."

      Chambers UK 2022

    • Naomi Angell – the doyenne of adoption and surrogacy family law, dedicated to her clients and hardworking.

      Legal 500 2022

    • The team has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility matters through Naomi Angell.

      Legal 500 2022

    • "Highly recommended
      Bridget and Amy-Jo were very supportive during what were very stressful proceedings. They were collaborative and I felt listened to and part of a team rather than just a client. We ended up being successful at the hearing."

      Client review

    • "She's extremely knowledgeable and highly professional."

      Chambers UK 2021

    • "She is the guru when it comes to international adoption and she's an expert in her field."

      Chambers UK 2021

    • Naomi Angell has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.

      Legal 500 2020 - Naomi Angell

    • "Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."

      Chambers UK

    • Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive practice in matters involving alternative families and adoption. An interviewee observes: "She's a fighter, she's clever, and she understands all aspects of a case."

      Chambers UK

    • "Naomi Angell is a leading name in international adoption."

      The Legal 500

    • "Recognised for its expertise in both domestic and international adoption, as well as assisted conception."

      Chambers UK

    • "Naomi Angell is a leading figure in domestic and inter-country adoptions, and also has expert knowledge of related fertility and surrogacy issues."

      Chambers UK

    • "Naomi Angell is phenomenal. She's done it for so long and knows so much that she's a fount of knowledge. If Naomi doesn't know something, it isn't worth knowing."

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell is the doyenne of inter-country adoption and the font of all knowledge in this area.

      Chambers UK

    • Highly respected for her [Naomi Angell] focused on cross-border children work, including surrogacy matters.

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell advises on international adoptions and complex surrogacy matters. She is commended for her broad, in-depth experience."

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell is an expert in adoption issues.

      Legal 500

    • Naomi Angell leads the market in cross-border children law matters. Sources confirm that she is "at the cutting edge of changing law and policy" when it comes to international adoption

      Chambers UK

    • Naomi Angell is described as hugely experienced, calm and a good listener.

      Chambers UK

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    Contact our Adoption Lawyers Today

    Email us Send us an email and we’ll get back to you