Meet Kate: Helping Ana find the family she deserves

Every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, loved and valued. For Kate, a family finder at Adopt Thames Valley, helping children find the right family is about giving them the opportunity to thrive.

Meet Ana, a delightful little girl with a wonderful imagination, a love of pretend play and a zest for life. She enjoys cooking up meals for her dolls, taking them to bed, playing outside and riding her bike. Her favourite snack is fruit, and she loves ending the day with a story and a song.

Ana is now looking for something truly special: a permanent family who can offer her love, nurture and commitment, helping her grow in confidence and enjoy all that life has to offer.

So, what does it take to find the right family for a child like Ana? We spoke to Kate, her family finder at Adopt Thames Valley, about what inspires her work, the support available to prospective adopters and her advice for anyone considering opening their heart and home to Ana.

Why family finding matters

For Kate, the belief that every child deserves a loving family is at the heart of everything she does.

“I believe that every child is entitled to the love and care they need to grow into confident and healthy adults,” she explains.

“Whatever shape or form a family takes, this is the place where a child should experience care, safety and learn they are valued and important. I believe that every child deserves this opportunity, whatever their circumstances.”

It is this belief that underpins the family-finding process: looking beyond what a family might look like on paper and finding the right people who can offer a child the security, understanding and commitment they need to flourish.

For Ana, the hope is to find a family who will celebrate her identity, nurture her individuality and help her live life to the full.

Support throughout the adoption journey

Taking the first steps towards adoption can bring lots of questions. Prospective adopters may be wondering whether they are ready, whether their family could be the right fit for a particular child, or what support they would receive along the way.

Kate is keen to reassure people that they do not have to navigate the process alone.

“Adopt Thames Valley offer lots of support at all stages of the adoption journey, both for children and those caring for them,” she says.

“We work in partnership with multiple support services to ensure the assistance we offer is child focused and right for the family. No question is ever considered irrelevant, so we always encourage people to reach out and ask for help or advice wherever they are in the adoption process.”

Every adoption journey is different, and asking questions is an important part of understanding what adoption might mean for you and your family. Getting in touch does not mean you need to have everything figured out; it is an opportunity to start a conversation and find out more.

Is there such a thing as the perfect family?

When asked what advice she would give to someone considering adopting Ana, Ke’s answer is both simple and encouraging.

“The ‘perfect’ family doesn’t really exist, every family has its own unique experiences and dynamics – this is what makes life interesting!

“If you can offer love, nurture and commitment to this little girl, you will see her absolutely thrive and she will bring so much joy into your lives.”

It is a reminder that families come in many different forms. What matters is the ability to offer a child a safe, loving and permanent home, with the commitment to support them as they grow. Could your family be the one Ana has been waiting for?

Could you help Ana thrive?

Ana has so much to share with the family who will welcome her into their lives: imaginative games, outdoor adventures, stories, songs and the everyday moments that make a house a home.

If you are curious about adoption and would like to learn more about Ana, Adopt Thames Valley would love to hear from you.

You do not need to know all the answers before making an enquiry. The team can talk you through the next steps, answer your questions and help you explore whether adoption could be right for you.