Adoption Now
Adoption Now is a publicly funded Regional Adoption Agency in Greater Manchester delivering free end-to-end adoption services across five local authorities: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersBolton, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Adoption Now does
Adoption Now is a publicly funded Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) operating in the North West of England. It was formed as a partnership between five Greater Manchester local authorities — Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside — and two voluntary adoption agencies, Caritas Care and Adoption Matters. The agency provides end-to-end statutory adoption services including recruitment of prospective adopters, information events, two-stage assessment and approval, matching with children, and post-adoption therapeutic support. All services are delivered free of charge to prospective adopters, with funding flowing directly from the five constituent local authorities; there is no commercial fee structure and no disclosed revenue, funding rounds, or external investment.
The agency's product surface spans a structured two-stage adoption process (typically completable in around six months), a 3-day in-person adopter preparation training course, an online children's profiles directory, and ongoing post-adoption support including therapeutic parenting training, specialist adoption support workers, nurture groups, the Adoption Support Fund, and a unique-to-the-North-West mentor service pairing prospective adopters with experienced adopters. Supplementary channels include the "Adopter Stories by Adoption Now" podcast series on SoundCloud, information events delivered via Microsoft Teams and in-person, and creative recruitment campaigns including the agency's first TV advert on ITVx in September 2025 and the newly launched Adopteens North West Youth Forum (June 2026) in partnership with PAC-UK.
Adoption Now employs approximately 15 people and operates with no proprietary technology platform, relying instead on standard SaaS tools (Microsoft Teams, Eventbrite, SoundCloud) for service delivery. The go-to-market model is community-led and event-driven, prioritising awareness-building through information sessions, adopter storytelling, roadshow events in shopping centres, and targeted campaigns for under-represented adopter segments including LGBT+ adopters, single adopters, and those willing to adopt older children and sibling groups (49% of children awaiting adoption are in sibling groups of two or more). Headquartered in Bolton, the agency serves a defined regional footprint with no expansion beyond the Greater Manchester and broader North West collaboration footprint.
Adoption Now firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Adoption Now
- Legal name
- Adoption Now
- Website
- https://adoptionnow.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Adoption Now is a publicly funded Regional Adoption Agency in Greater Manchester delivering free end-to-end adoption services across five local authorities: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Tameside.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Adoption Now industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Adoption Services
- NAICS
- Child and Youth Services (62411), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services (BPAGAEAE)
Keywords
Where Adoption Now is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bolton
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Adoption Now business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Publicly Funded Adoption Services: Adoption Now operates as a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) funded by five local authorities (Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside) in Greater Manchester. The agency provides free adoption services to prospective adopters, with services funded through public/local government funding rather than direct fees from adopters.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Free adoption services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Adoption Now product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Adoption Now is a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) that brings together local authority adoption services for five areas in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside). Working in partnership with voluntary adoption agencies Caritas Care and Adoption Matters, it delivers end-to-end adoption services including adopter recruitment, assessment, approval, matching, and post-adoption support. All services are provided free of charge to prospective adopters and funded by the participating local authorities.
Product overview
Adoption Now is a regional adoption agency offering a comprehensive suite of adoption services through a partnership of five local authorities in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside) working with two voluntary adoption agencies (Caritas Care and Adoption Matters). The core offering centers on end-to-end adoption services including children's profiles directory, structured adoption process guidance (Stages 1 and 2), adopter preparation training, information events (online via Microsoft Teams, in-person, and pre-recorded), and the Adopter Stories podcast series featuring real adopter narratives. Post-adoption support includes therapeutic parenting courses, a unique mentor service connecting adopters with experienced adopters, and the Adopteens North West Youth Forum for adopted teenagers. The agency also conducts recruitment campaigns including their first TV advert aired on ITVx in 2025.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Adopter Stories by Adoption Now: A podcast series featuring real-life adoption stories from adopters, providing insights and support for those considering adoption.
Products and services
- Regional Adoption Agency Services End-to-end statutory adoption services for the Greater Manchester region including adopter recruitment, assessment, approval, matching, and post-adoption support. Operated as the Regional Adoption Agency for five local authorities (Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside) in partnership with Caritas Care and Adoption Matters.
- Information Events Free adoption information sessions delivered via online (Microsoft Teams), in-person live, and pre-recorded video formats. Events include Q&A with social workers and adopter guest speakers sharing personal experiences. 100% of respondents stated they would recommend Adoption Now to others.
- Adoption Process Guidance Structured two-stage adoption approval process. Stage 1 (~2 months) includes training, preparation, checks, and references. Stage 2 (~4 months) involves assessment and preparation of a Prospective Adopters Report (PAR) for panel review. End-to-end process can take as little as 6 months.
- Adopter Preparation Training A 3-day in-person course preparing adopters for their adoption journey. The interactive course covers what adoption involves, background and needs of waiting children, and helps prospective adopters make informed decisions before proceeding to Stage 2.
- Children's Profiles Directory An online directory featuring profiles of children awaiting adoption through Adoption Now. Each profile includes the child's name, age, personality, background, needs, and the type of family they are looking for. Children range from infants to older children, including siblings and those with complex needs.
- Mentor Service A pioneering peer support service connecting approved adopters with experienced adopter mentors who have been through the adoption process themselves. Adoption Now states this is the only such service offered by a Regional Adoption Agency in the North West of England, providing a safe and supportive space for adopters to share experiences.
- Adoption Support Services Comprehensive post-adoption support including therapeutic parenting courses, Adoption Support Fund access, nurture group sessions, specialist therapeutically trained adoption support workers, and ongoing guidance throughout the adoption journey and beyond.
- Adopteens North West Youth Forum A youth forum for adopted young people aged 13-17, run in partnership with PAC-UK and Regional Adoption Agencies across the North West. Provides regular Tuesday evening Zoom sessions, occasional in-person meet-ups, and opportunities for adopted teens to connect, share experiences, and help shape understanding of adoption.
- Adopter Stories Podcast The Adopter Stories by Adoption Now podcast series featuring real-life stories from adopters sharing their adoption journeys, challenges, and successes. Topics include single adoption, LGBT+ adoption, sibling adoption, adopting children with complex needs, neurodiversity, therapeutic parenting, and birth parent perspectives. Episodes hosted on SoundCloud and the Adoption Now website.
- Information Pack A downloadable information pack available to prospective adopters, providing comprehensive details about adoption, the adoption process, and Adoption Now's services.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% of respondents stated after attending information events they would recommend Adoption Now to others
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Adoption Now
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Adoption Now technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Adoption Now partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PAC-UKcorePAC-UK is launching the Adopteens North West Youth Forum in partnership with Adoption Now and Regional Adoption Agencies across the North West to strengthen adoptee voice and create opportunities for adopted young people aged 13-17.
- Adoption UKminorNational adoption charity whose Adoption Barometer 2026 Adoption Now participates in and promotes to gather insights from adopted people, adoptive parents, and prospective adopters to influence government decision making and practice reforms.
- New Family SocialminorOrganization leading the annual LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week campaign. Adoption Now supports this national campaign to encourage more LGBT+ people to consider adoption and fostering as routes to parenting.
- Caritas CarecoreVoluntary Adoption Agency partner working in partnership with Adoption Now as part of the Regional Adoption Agency serving Greater Manchester's five local authority areas.
- Adoption MatterscoreVoluntary Adoption Agency partner working in partnership with Adoption Now as part of the Regional Adoption Agency serving Greater Manchester's five local authority areas.
- Local Authority Partners (Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside)coreFive local authorities in Greater Manchester that fund and partner with Adoption Now as the Regional Adoption Agency: Bolton Council, Bury Council, Oldham Council, Rochdale Council, and Tameside Council.
- Regional Adoption Agencies North WestminorCollaborating with Regional Adoption Agencies across the North West on initiatives including the Adopteens North West Youth Forum and adoption fun days.
- Proud 2b ParentsminorLGBT+ parenting organization partnered with Adoption Now to provide extra value and support for adopters. Interviewed on Adopter Stories podcast to share resources for LGBT+ people considering adoption.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Adoption Now competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TACT (The Adoption Charity): UK-wide voluntary adoption agency providing fostering, adoption, and post-adoption support across multiple regional footprints; structurally comparable to Adoption Now as a multi-region VAA delivering end-to-end adoption services.
- Caritas Care: Voluntary Adoption Agency in the North West of England and the other named statutory partner of Adoption Now in the Greater Manchester RAA; provides adoption and family support services using a directly comparable operating model.
- After Adoption: UK charity providing adoption support, post-adoption counselling, and search-and-reunite services; directly comparable to Adoption Now's post-adoption support and therapeutic parenting offerings.
- PAC-UK (Post Adoption Centre UK): Specialist UK charity focused on post-adoption support and adoptee voice; a direct collaborator of Adoption Now on the Adopteens North West Youth Forum and highly comparable in mission and support-service offering.
- PACT (Parents And Children Together): National UK charity providing adoption, fostering, and family support across several regions; comparable to Adoption Now as a regional-to-national VAA offering end-to-end adoption services and post-adoption support.
- Adoption Matters: UK Voluntary Adoption Agency operating across the North West and other regions; an explicit formal partner of Adoption Now inside the Greater Manchester Regional Adoption Agency, delivering statutory and voluntary adoption services from the same shared-service model.
- Adoption Focus: UK adoption support charity providing therapeutic and peer support for adoptive families; comparable to Adoption Now's post-adoption support and nurture group service line.
- Adoption UK: National UK membership charity for adoptees and adoptive families; a named partner of Adoption Now (Adoption Barometer 2026) and comparable as a national voice for adoption policy, support, and community.
Broad incumbents
- Barnardo's: One of the UK's largest children's charities, with significant fostering, adoption, and post-adoption services nationally; comparable as a much larger incumbent in the same adoption and looked-after-children space.
- Coram: Large, long-established UK children's charity including adoption and fostering services (CoramBAAF); broader in scope than Adoption Now but operating overlapping services in adoption support, permanence, and policy.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Adoption Now social profiles
Digital presenceAdoption Now financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Adoption Now leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Adoption Now funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Adoption Now M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Adoption Now
What does Adoption Now do?
Adoption Now is a Regional Adoption Agency (RAA) that brings together local authority adoption services for five areas in Greater Manchester (Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside). Working in partnership with voluntary adoption agencies Caritas Care and Adoption Matters, it delivers end-to-end adoption services including adopter recruitment, assessment, approval, matching, and post-adoption support. All services are provided free of charge to prospective adopters and funded by the participating local authorities.
Is Adoption Now a public or private company?
Adoption Now is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Adoption Now founded?
Adoption Now was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Adoption Now based?
Adoption Now is headquartered in Bolton, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Adoption Now make money?
One revenue line is on record: publicly Funded Adoption Services.
Who are Adoption Now's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TACT (The Adoption Charity), Caritas Care, After Adoption, PAC-UK (Post Adoption Centre UK), PACT (Parents And Children Together), Adoption Matters, Adoption Focus and Adoption UK. Broad incumbents are Barnardo's and Coram.
Does Adoption Now have an API?
No public API is recorded for Adoption Now.
What industry is Adoption Now in?
Adoption Now's product category is Adoption Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAE, Child Welfare, Foster Care & Adoption Services. Its NAICS code is 62411 and its SIC code is 8300.