Why Jigsaw
Jigsaw is an independent voluntary adoption agency, founded in 2014. We're a non-profit, regulated by Ofsted, and the team includes a number of people who have adopted themselves. We work with local authorities across England and Wales, and we're particularly known for placing sibling groups. Adoption with us is free for adopters.
Started by adopters, for adopters
Khalida and Erik started Jigsaw in 2014 because they wanted more children to find adoptive families. The two of them had seen how adoption agencies often work — treating the assessment as an obstacle course of hoops for adopters to jump through, with rigid frameworks for testing whether someone met the standard. They wanted to do it differently. For the wider context of what was happening in adoption at that time, see the 2014 reforms.
Jigsaw was designed from the start to focus on what adopters bring rather than what they don't. The team identifies the strengths in a family's circumstances and helps families build on those strengths through assessment, matching, and beyond. This isn't a soft option — it's still rigorous work, and the agency takes safeguarding extremely seriously. But the starting point is what's possible, not what to rule out.
Several members of the Jigsaw team have adopted themselves. This shapes how every conversation goes. We know what the assessment feels like from the other side. We know what it's like to wait for a match, to hold your breath through introductions, and to suddenly become a parent in a way most people around you are not familiar with.
Would recommend Jigsaw to othersJigsaw adopter feedback forms. View methodology
Focus on sibling adoption
If you'd like your family to include more than one child, sibling adoption is the most direct route — and it's what we do best.
Direct route to a family of two or more
Sibling groups are placed for adoption together because keeping siblings together matters. If you’re open to siblings, matching tends to be quicker.
Many adopters discover siblings through assessment
A meaningful share of Jigsaw’s sibling-group families came in planning to adopt one child and decided through assessment that two was right for them.
Children placed since we were founded in 2014Jigsaw analysis. View methodology
A significant proportion of those placements are sibling groups, often with adopters who originally planned to adopt one child and discovered through assessment that two would suit them better.
Read more about adopting siblings.
Independent and national
Jigsaw is an independent voluntary adoption agency. We are not part of a Regional Adoption Agency or a consortium. This matters because it shapes what we can do.
Agencies tied to a particular region are typically expected to look first at children placed within that region. We don't have that constraint. We can work with every local authority across England and Wales, and we look nationally for every approved family from day one. Over the years, around 50 local authorities have placed children with Jigsaw families. Most adopters we work with have a potential match identified within a couple of months of approval.
If you live in Greater London, the Thames Valley, or anywhere in that area, Jigsaw can work with you. Read more about adoption in London and adoption in Thames Valley.
Of Jigsaw families who applied for an adoption order were granted oneJigsaw analysis. View methodology
What working with Jigsaw is like
Every interest form is read by a member of our team and gets a response. From your first conversation with us, you'll deal with people who know your situation Unlike many agencies, we don't have a queue to join the process.
The agency takes a sensible approach to discretionary checks like ex-partner references, treating each case on its merits rather than insisting on every possible enquiry by default. Our adoption panel includes people who have direct experience of adoption alongside members of our team.
We're a small agency by design. That's what enables this kind of service.
A personal first conversation, not a multi paty video call
Every interest form is read by a member of our team and we will schedule a one-to-one call if we think we can help you adopt.
We are there to help and advice, all they way through
As we are a small organisation, you are never far removed from a member of our team. Starting in Stage 1, you will hear form us regularly and if you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact us and we will do our best to help
A panel that includes adoptive voices
Our adoption panel includes people with direct experience of adoption alongside other members of our team.
Rated their assessing social worker 5 out of 5Jigsaw adopter feedback forms. View methodology
"Most people who enter adoption have had prior experience of fertility treatment, which can be wearing. Khalida saw us as real people and worked with us that way. We'll always be grateful."Catherine and PaulJigsaw adopter feedback forms. View methodologyVoluntary adoption agency or local authority?
How the two routes differ in practice — terminology, structure, reach, and which suits which kind of adopter.
Read the comparisonHow to choose an adoption agency
What to look for, what to ask, and how to compare agencies — including an honest assessment of how Jigsaw measures up.
Read the guideThinking about adopting?
Fill in our interest form and a member of our team will be in touch.
I'm interested