From hope to home: how one Lancashire couple were able to fulfil their dream of adopting.
"Oh my gosh – she's amazing."
That's how Emma describes the five-year-old daughter that she and husband Phil, 36, adopted just over three years ago.
Emma, a procurement officer from Blackpool, says the couple decided to look into adoption after years of trying to conceive in November 2021.
The couple's persistence and openness, combined with the strong support of social workers, led to them being approved as adopters in less than a year, the following August.
The couple quickly progressed through the initial stages of the adoption process, completing the first stage in three months, and stage two in eight months.
They were matched with two-year-old *Maisie in November 2022, who has since thrived and excelled academically and socially.
The 43-year-old who works in IT, said: "She's amazing. When she came to us at 22 months old, she was just learning to speak, and could say hi and bye and things like that.
"She's very sociable and extremely clever, and in school, they actually pulled us to one side when she was in reception, and said she is reading at Year 1 level.
"We love taking her away on lots of holidays, and we love reading and swimming with her as well.
"She's very independent, and sassy at the same time!"
Among the highlights of the family's adoption journey was when they met *Maisie for the first time, as well as the bonding moments they have enjoyed on holidays.
Emma added: "That was one of the best moments, as well as when we got the phone call to say she was ours.
"She's been with us to Thailand, to Cape Verde, Morocco, Tunisia, and we've just got back from Egypt. She's a very well-travelled little girl, and she also does dance and drama on a Saturday morning and she's very outgoing."
Being open minded about *Maisie's age, gender and needs was a deliberate choice for the couple, and Emme believes this helped speed up the process.
Emma's advice for anyone interested in adoption is to welcome scrutiny as part of the process, be open minded to improve chances of a timely match, and recognise that older children may bring more medical and background information, which can help with planning and care.
All of which means that the three of them have gone from hope to home in less than two years, thanks to a positive and open approach to the process.
She added: "I'd say, be open, be prepared to have your whole life looked at as part of the process, and just be very open about the criteria. You never know – you could end up being matched with the perfect child."
County Councillor Simon Evans, cabinet member for Children and Families, said:
"Every adoption journey is unique, and people choose adoption for many different reasons, and many people see adoption as a positive way to build their family and provide a stable, loving home for a child who cannot live with their birth family.
"We want prospective adopters to know that they won't be on their own. With the right support, adoptive families can overcome challenges together and make a life-changing difference to a child's future."
Adoption Lancashire and Blackpool provides support before, during and after adoption, including training, advice, therapeutic services and ongoing guidance from experienced social workers.
Anyone who would love to adopt but has concerns about whether they can take on the costs of expanding their family is encouraged to talk to them by calling 0300 123 6727 or visiting www.adoptionlancashireblackpool.org.uk