Our Full UK Adoption Story- In Case It Helps Anyone Starting Out

[adoptingwillow]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been a silent reader here for a while and wanted to finally share a bit of our journey. We went through years of infertility, and after a lot of heartbreak, we were finally approved to adopt. Our daughter came home last year, and honestly it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever been part of.
Because I found so much comfort in reading others’ stories, I’ve started sharing ours online (completely anonymously) in the hope it might help someone who’s still in the thick of it, whether you’re dealing with infertility, considering adoption or and adoptive parent.
I’ve written it all really honestly. It’s all on a blog I’ve set up and a small Instagram account too https://www.instagram.com/adoptingwillow?igsh=MWJpdjBncnZ6bmx1OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr I’ve just started (no faces, all from behind or detail shots to protect privacy).
If you’re curious or looking for something relatable, you can find it here: https://adoptingwillow.co.uk/our-adoption-journey/
if you don’t want to read anything feel free to message me asking any questions you have 😊

Thank you for sharing, you write beautifully. If possible it would be worth clarifying that you adopted in England, there’s no such thing as a UK adoption process in that Scotland and Northern Ireland processes are very different with different legislation and placement procedures.

This is great advice thank you, I will try and rectify this

@adoptingwillow

Thanks for sharing, a lovely story. I'm glad it went so well.
I do have a question about the foster carers. You were obviously very sensitive to the loss the foster carers and Willow would be feeling, but it also doesn't sound like you maintained contact with them
Happy to be corrected if I've misinterpreted something.
If you don't have contact with them can I ask why. I'm also aware from our own experience that some FCs find maintaining contact difficult.

Hello,
yes we do have regular contact with them, we have text regularly and have met up a couple of times but it’s not round the corner to us. We are meeting them next month to catch up! I haven’t spoken too much about them in the blog as I am weary of wanting to tell my own story not anyone else’s. I wouldn’t want to misinterpret their Version. However I plan to ask them if they would like to write something from their point of view. I think naturally they found it very difficult, but we knew they were open to staying in contact and we did become genuine friends. the fact our transition went so smoothly was totally down to how open, knowledgeable and amazing they are. I can imagine it must be so hard in their position when they have cared so deeply for a child. Thank you for reading the blog! 😊

Another thing to consider is the costs of adoption. You spoke about court costs in the UK but this differs hugely depending on where you are in the UK and the type of legal order your child is subject to. Our legal costs were over £5k in a very straightforward adoption. Local authorities will usually carry the legal costs for court processes that are complex or combative but certainly in Scotland the adoptive parents are likely to have legal costs along the line. Timescales are also hugely different in Scotland and in Northern Ireland where from application to placement can easily be 3-4 years depending on local authorities.

thank you I have looked into how different the journey can be in Scotland, Northern Ireland or wales and I don’t want to accidentally cause any confusion. I am in the process of editing to England on my blog posts. I can’t change this post unfortunately as it won’t let me edit.

No problem, I think many people in England assume UK wide processes because so many legal frameworks are indeed UK wide but adoption is one that can vary hugely. I think it’s great to inform people and share your own experiences - you aren’t to know how they differ depending on nation.

Thank you for sharing your story about your adoption of Willow. It’s so nice to hear about the happiness Willow has brought to your life. Wishing you all the best for the future x

This is one of the most beautiful stories that I have read, and I really needed it today xx

Thank you for reading ! 😊

Thank you so much for reading 😊