Danielle lives in Northampton and decided to adopt as a single person.
Danielle always wanted to be a mum, but just never met the right person. In her 30s, she decided to begin the process of adopting as a single person. It was just before the 2020 pandemic, so most of the training and process was online. She moved back in with her mum, who was a huge support throughout the journey – as is her extended family support network.
She had a brilliant experience through the process and was approved to go through the early permanence route. She says her social workers were incredible. Her son, Louis, came home to live with her at 2 months old, and it has been an incredible journey ever since. Danielle is still very close with Louis’ foster carers – she sees them as extended family. They went on to adopt a little girl, and Danielle is her godmother. Louis is now 2.5 – but she knows they’ll continue to be a part of his life.
While Louis is still young, Danielle is very open with him about his adoption. Danielle has even gone on to work for an adoption agency in the post-adoption support team, supporting families in letter box contact. She has seen so many different family stories and journeys and believes in the importance of birth family contact and knowing where you came from. Louis keeps contact with his birth siblings, who they see six times a year, and Danielle believes it is so important for him to keep that connection.
“The adoption journey has opened up a whole new world for me, and I’ve met so many people along the way who have become part of my incredible support network. As a single adopter this is so important – to have people you can rely on through it all. I couldn’t have done it without my amazing friends and family, who are always in my corner and helping me raise my son – who certainly keeps me on my toes!”