Adoption Tees Valley Blog
Welcome to the new Adoption Tees Valley blog. Here we'll feature the latest news and articles from our team and our adoptive community.
Share your story
Let us tell your story. You might be a prospective adopter at the start of the process, you might have adopted a child or children several years ago, or you may be an adopted person yourself. Whatever your situation, people are really interested to hear others' stories. if you'd like to share yours please email, info@adoptionteesvalley.org.uk

Adopting through early permanence - Lucy's story
Wednesday 4 May 2022
Lucy tells us about her experience of adopting her three children through a foster to adopt arrangement.
READ MORE
Press release: Could you be an early permanence carer?
Tuesday 19 April 2022
Adoption Tees Valley (ATV), which finds adopters on behalf of the five Tees Valley local authorities, are looking for more carers who can look after children under an early permanence placement.
READ MORE
Early permanence - Pete and Chris' story.
Thursday 14 April 2022
The opportunity to keep brother and sister together - even if just in those formative first stages - with the potential for early permanence was a no-brainer for us.
READ MORE
Adopting as a same sex couple
Wednesday 9 March 2022
Chloe and Sarah* originally adopted two sisters aged 2 and 1, they then went on to adopt the girls other two sisters separately, meaning all four girls were kept together. Chloe tells us her story.
READ MORE
LGBT+ Adoption and Fostering Week returns with theme of #BeTheChange
Monday 7 March 2022
Adoption Tees Valley is delighted to be supporting LGBT+ Adoption & Fostering Week which returns 7th March – for its tenth year with an important message of #BeTheChange.
READ MORE
Adopting siblings, the rewards and challenges.
Tuesday 1 March 2022
We were aware of some 'rewards and challenges' to adopting siblings prior to them coming home but we have now added a few of our own! Spoiler Alert: It is still more positive than negative!
READ MORE
Bringing Home 3 Children Under the age of 3!
Thursday 24 February 2022
Our adopter Lucy* tells us more about settling in to life as a family of 5.
READ MORE
'The bonding bubble'
Tuesday 15 February 2022
Our adopter Lucy* talks about the first few weeks of living as a family with her sibling group of three.
READ MORE
Welcome home
Wednesday 2 February 2022
In Lucy's* next blog in a series exploring adopting siblings, she talks about the day she welcomed her children home.
READ MORE
Adopted young people launch video for schools with support from Toby Anstis.
Tuesday 25 January 2022
We're proud to support our adopted young people in producing a film aimed at raising adoption awareness within school.
READ MORE
“The cutest chemistry visit ever!”
Thursday 20 January 2022
Our adopter Lucy* shares her experience of meeting her children, a sibling group of three, for the first time.
READ MORE
“We wanted a big family so why not jump to three?!”
Wednesday 12 January 2022
In second of a series of short blogs from our adopter Lucy*, she talks further about the matching part of the adoption process.
READ MORE
We love the madness that comes with adopting siblings!
Thursday 6 January 2022
In the first of a short series of blogs, Lucy* one of our adoptive Mums, tells us about her and her husbands decision to adopt a sibling group of three.
READ MORE
Coping with Christmas
Wednesday 8 December 2021
Christmas can be hard for some children, read our article for advise on how to keep things calm this Christmas.
READ MORE
‘Adoption made our family complete’ - Chris and Pete talk about their adoption journey.
Wednesday 20 October 2021
When Chris and Pete Kirby-Bowstead met 12 years ago, having a family together was not part of their masterplan. However, after moving in together, getting engaged, and then married, they each felt that adopting a child was the next natural step they both wished to take.
READ MORE
“We just want to wrap her up and protect her”
Tuesday 19 October 2021
It’s four years since Simon and Ellen Cross first met the baby girl that was to become their adopted daughter and now they could not imagine life without her.
READ MORE
Service Manager, Vicky Davidson Boyd, reflects on those involved in working in adoption during National Adoption Week
Monday 18 October 2021
It’s National Adoption Week, and I've been thinking a lot about the amazing people who are involved in making safe, secure, and loving families for children who deserve to have the stability of a permanent family Read on for some of my thoughts and reflections.
READ MORE
Choosing a school for your child
Thursday 7 October 2021
Leanne, our Education Support worker, gives advice for parents choosing schools.
READ MORE
Celebrating diverse families
Monday 20 September 2021
Our adopter Pete, shares some fantastic resources for celebrating diversity in families.
READ MORE