Mary's Adoption Story

"This time two years ago year I was living in a tidy home, sleeping all night, drinking cocktails, reading novels, having long baths... and waiting. I had been approved as a prospective single adopter."

"Within a few months of being approved, I was shown a profile of a six month old girl in foster placement. She had just become eligible for adoption. Within two weeks, my social worker, the baby’s social worker and family finder had met with me. I was asked a lot of questions but the meeting felt friendly and I was shown a picture of a beautiful baby girl! The following day I had a call from my social worker to say that they wanted to proceed with me, I was going to be a mum!"

"The following month I met my baby girl and we spent time getting to know each other at both the foster parents and my home. I took my little one home a week later; I have never experienced a more emotional day. Her foster family had loved and cared for her so well and it was very difficult to see them say goodbye, although we have stayed in touch."

"There were some real ups and downs during the first few months of the baby’s placement with me; I was totally prepared for some hiccups along the way but it was still hard emotionally. However I felt well supported through the whole process by my lovely social worker and my baby’s social worker."

"She is now a very very cheeky beautiful two years old and is really thriving; she is loved by everyone, and certainly knows it!"

"My experience of being assessed for adoption was a positive experience, there was a lot of paperwork, and there was a lot of talking about myself – but ultimately I felt it was all done so that my social worker could get a real picture on who I was as a person. The process was well managed, communication was excellent, and I felt in safe hands throughout".