Coram Adoption tell us about Paul and Mark, who adopted their son Stephen in 2013, as we mark National Adoption Week
15-21 October is National Adoption Week, a campaign that highlights the need to find families for the vulnerable children who so desperately need them. Coram, which runs one of the largest and most successful independent adoption agencies in the UK, is supporting the campaign and encouraging all types of prospective adopters to come forward, including LGBT individuals and couples.
Paul and Mark adopted their son Stephen through Coram in 2013. The couple always knew they wanted to have children of their own and, after considering their options, they decided adoption would be the best route for them.
Stephen had been in care for a year when he was adopted by Paul and Mark who said, “We just knew he was the right child for us.”
As of July 2018, there have been 2,837 reported adoptions by LGBT people in Great Britain since records began (New Family Social). Coram matches and places nearly a quarter (24%) of children with same-sex couples, and supports the call for more lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to consider adoption.
Adoptive same-sex parents such as Paul and Mark are just one of many offering loving and safe homes to children. Research from CoramBAAF, the independent membership organisation for professionals, foster carers and adopters found that same-sex families are thriving and score particularly well in assessments of family relationships, parental wellbeing and child adjustment.
Paul and Mark have received support from Coram throughout the adoption process and afterwards, and found its parenting course particularly useful as it was “so reassuring to know that other adoptive families were experiencing similar things”.
The couple’s life has changed dramatically since becoming parents, however Paul says: “You obviously don’t socialise in the same way as you used to, and you can’t go out as much. But we don’t miss any of that. Mostly because we’re just really happy having Stephen at home with us and putting him to bed and watching TV together; being a family. Life does change but nothing is missed.”
The couple are now in the process of adopting a second child with Coram, so Stephen will hopefully have a brother or sister soon. Paul and Mark say Stephen is “a cheeky six-year-old, very lively and a real character with a brilliant sense of humour. He is generally a happy little boy and aware of his life story. He has a strong attachment with us and really enjoys family life.”
Find out more at coramadoption.org.uk and first4adoption.org.uk/nationaladoptionweek
