Northern Ireland
This page lists websites with specific relevance to adopters and prospective adopters living in Northern Ireland, including how to obtating adoption certificates.
Adopt
Independent N Ireland charity providing support for adults from the adoption and looked-after population. Includes counselling and a tracing service.
Adoption Routes
Voluntary Adoption Agency with a Northern Ireland base for service provision. Provides a comprehensive advice and support service for all those who are considering adoption or who have a personal link with adoption.
APAI
Adoptive Parents Association of Ireland (email only).
Children in Northern Ireland (CiNI)
Umbrella organisation for the children's sector in Northern Ireland - represents the interests of the sector and provides support services to member organisations in their work with children and young people.
Children’s Law Centre
Provides information and advice on children's rights and the law as it relates to children in Northern Ireland.
DHSSPSNI
Department of Health, social Services and public safety – pages on adoption.
Family Care Society
Offers a range of services in the field of adoption in Northern Ireland. These include family finding, recruitment and preparation of families for adoption; post-adoption support for the child, family and birth family; counselling for adult adoptees, their birth families and significant others.
General Registrar Office
Takes applications for birth and adoption certificates.
NI Commissioner for Children and Young People
Includes information on children’s rights.
Northern Ireland Court Service
Includes contact details for all courts.
Northern Ireland Guardian Ad Litem Agency
Information about guardian ad litems - independent officers of the Court who are experienced in working with children and families. Under the Children (NI) Order 1995, a guardian ad litem is appointed to safeguard the interests of children who are the subject of Court proceedings. This may be either adoption or care proceedings.
Parents Advice Centre
Provides help and support to parents facing any family difficulty, includes a parents helpline, specialist parenting courses. Also runs The Men’s Project - to increase awareness of the issues facing men and boys (especially within families) and to promote their social inclusion; and a parenting forum - a platform for the needs and aspirations of parents to be heard.
SSAFA
A registered adoption agency that places children with families in the armed forces, and provides post adoption help, advice and back-up to service families who adopt.