National Adoption Week - A Scarborough couple speak about what it’s really like to adopt a child

John and Anna adopted Lydia, now 2, in 2019 (names have been changed). Anna said: “ I can’t have children, I had one round of IVF and after three years of trying and more than enough operations there was no point continuing.

“We knew we wanted a family and so began to explore adoption. We went to an information event in Cleethorpes. No one else turned up except us, but that enabled us to get the answers to lots of questions.”

The couple decided that they wanted to proceed with adoption and the first step was to meet with social worker Tom, who stayed with them right through the journey.

That journey took them from the initial information event in January 2018 to adoption just over a year later.

Anna explained: “There are a series of checks and they don’t leave any stone unturned. There’s all sorts of paperwork.

“They look at whether you’re suitable to adopt. It doesn’t matter what religion you are or if you’re the same sex, what they want for every child is a stable and loving home.

“We had to attend courses and training. We were taught how the brain stems joins up and that the first couple of years are crucial.”

John said: “All of the courses help you understand what to expect and the guest speakers give an insight into the adoption process and put paid to any anxieties.”

“Ultimately we quite enjoyed the journey, although it was very intense.”

Anna said: “The journey was fantastic, Tom was there to answer every question, he went way above and beyond.”

John said: “Lydia was 10 months old when she came to us, she came from a foster carer and they did a wonderful job.

“We sat in the car at the meeting point and we saw her being brought in in the carry cot and I remember thinking that’s our destiny and then seeing her.

“She looked at us and smiled and straight away came to us. We bonded from the moment we first met her. She’s been so perfect, she’s a real character, it kind of all fell into place.

And what would the couple say to anyone thinking of adopting? Anna said: “Go for it! It will change your life for the better.

“There can be many reasons why people go down the adoption route. Our experience has been nothing but positive

John said: “It enriches your life hugely. It’s such a positive to give someone with no opportunity an opportunity.”

The number of people looking to adopt has increased since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, however there is still a shortage of adopters for sibling groups, older children and those with health needs.

Suzie Grove, head of One Adoption North and Humber, said: “We are putting a special call-out for people who feel they can offer a loving, stable, permanent home to children who wait longer.

“We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and faiths. Nationally, black children are disproportionately over-represented in our care system and black children are also less likely to go on to be adopted and wait longer to find their adoptive families, with boys of black African origin waiting the longest.

“You don’t have to be married to adopt, we have some excellent single adopters, and we have approved lots of adopters from the LGBTQ+ community.

“ Gender, relationship status, ethnicity, age or religion don’t matter, if you can love and care for a child, you can adopt.

“People who are concerned that they may not get the support they need once they adopt can also be reassured. Parents are supported throughout the whole process by highly experienced, dedicated adoption support teams.

“There is a comprehensive programme of pre- and post-adoption training and support, much of which is being provided virtually at the current time.”

People who are interested in finding out more about adoption can call One Adoption North and Humber on 0345 305 2576 or visit www.oneadoption.co.uk.