Continuing your Parenthood Journey

By Sarah Wood-Heath

A New Year often brings with it thoughts and plans for the future - perhaps buying a new home, a new career, or expanding your family.  Families come in all shapes and sizes with many alternative ways to grow your family such as fostering, adoption or surrogacy.

As of October 2024, according to Home for Good, there were 2,600 children waiting for adoption in the UK.  Adoption is the act of legally assuming responsibility for a child and incorporating them into a family. This can be done through both UK and International Adoption agencies or alternatively, adoption can occur through ‘officialising’ the adoption of a stepchild to complete a family unit.

Another way is to foster a child. This is an enormously rewarding way to grow your family and offers a child in need a safe haven to be happy and cared for. Fostering can range from short term care to long term care. As of May 2024, according to The Fostering Network, there was a shortfall of approximately 6,500 foster families needed in the UK.

Surrogacy is becoming an increasingly popular way to grow a family. This is where a person ‘carries’ a baby for another person or couple who it is intended will be the child’s parents. Many UK hopeful parents move forwards with an arrangement in the UK or even choose to enter an arrangement abroad. 

Whichever path is chosen, the legal position can be complex and the process difficult to navigate. It is therefore essential that legal advice is sought for your circumstances and to guide you on your journey.  For more information, please contact Sarah Wood-Heath at Sampson Coward to discuss your individual circumstances on 01722 410664 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Sarah Wood-Heath