Family matters

"Adoption is a big step, but we've never looked back."

Every year, around 50 children in Hull are looking to be adopted.

Eddy and Kerry Howard say adopting their daughter Emily was one of the best things they ever did.
They never had children of their own, and always saw their careers as being the centre of their lives, although they used to foster children through Hull City Council's Fostering Service.
So when Emily asked if they would adopt her - after they had looked after her as foster parents - they talked it through, and all soon decided it was what they wanted.
On May 13, 2004, Hull Family Court gave Eddy and Kerry full parental rights and responsibilities for Emily. The date was significant, because it was exactly four years earlier on that same day when they had begun fostering her.
Today, around six-and-a-half years later, they are a happy family unit, with no regrets. Emily is now aged 15.
"Things had developed in their own way, and adopting Emily made formal and legal what we felt already - that she was one of the family," says Eddy.
"Emily now calls us mum and dad. She is still in contact with her natural mum, who lives locally, and has taken ours and her mum's surnames.
"We all feel we have gained something very special. Emily's natural mum is happy with the outcome, as she knows Emily is being loved and cared for. In many ways, adoption has been a happy ending for all of us."
Eddy (57) and Kerry (53), from Patrington, both work in the care professions. Eddy works with vulnerable youngsters at Sutton Place Safe Centre, a secure unit for children aged from ten upwards.
Kerry works in the care of older people at the Humberside Independent Care Association in Hedon.
Both thought they would be too old to adopt, but were initially inspired by some friends of theirs who started to foster children.
At first they offered children respite care, which meant they would take in kids for a week or two while their foster parents went on holiday.
But when they looked to foster Emily, it was different.
They went into it on the understanding that it would be on a long-term basis, and that if they went on holiday Emily would go too, as one of the family, and not be placed in respite care.
"We were surprised to find we weren't too old to adopt," says Kerry. "As long as you have the room, time, and love to see it through, you can apply.
"The nicest thing about all this is that everyone in the family has accepted Emily, as though she were our natural child.
"Now, we would never be without her.
Adoption is a big step, but we have never looked back."
Meanwhile, Emily is an ordinary, happy teenager. She's an avid reader, who enjoys horse riding and is doing well at secondary school.
"Being adopted is brilliant," she says.
"It's made a big difference in my life because I now have security, love and affection.
"If anyone is thinking of adopting a child, I hope they go through with it. I can definitely recommend it."

Sticking with it

Eddy, Kerry and Emily were advised by Hull Adoption, a service of Hull City Council.
Adoption is a way of providing a permanent family for children who can no longer be brought up by their biological mum or dad.
"It's a lifelong commitment and, like all parenting, means sticking with it through good times and bad," says Rachel Lodge, of Hull Adoption.
"It's not always easy but it can be very rewarding, as many adoptive parents will testify. You can always have the support of Hull Adoption as long as you need it.
"To adopt, you don't have to be a home-owner, employed, under 40, married, in a relationship, heterosexual, a parent, or highly qualified.
"But you do have to be over 21, patient, energetic, happy to share your life and home, and determined to make a difference to a child's life."