HELP - 3 years on and still no life story or later life work

[oinker]

Hi,

We've battled for 3 years now to try and get our children's papers.

We've followed procedures but have been fobbed off by all social workers.

In desperation I complained to the Council Ombudsman.
I was told I would have their decision as to whether they take up the complaint within 3 weeks. It's been 4. !!

Where do I go now?
MP?
Solicitors?

Please Help! Someone must have experienced this before.

[Magslee]

Sorry, I haven’t got experience of this, except that I am also waiting for the life story book although not as long as you. Hopefully someone else will be along soon with the answer. I remember reading wise, experienced adopters on here saying that you should always get the life story book before the adoption order or you never get it and foolishly I didn’t put my foot down about it.

I’ve had a bit of a look at what the requirements are and as far as I can see the Adoption Agency Regulations (Regulation 35) say a placement plan must be made and Schedule 5 says that plan should include the date on which the life story book and later life letter are to be passed to the adopter. This seems to mean the local authority does have a legal duty to provide these things to us. I might have got the wrong end of the stick on that though. But the problem is, even if they should provide it, how to make them do it – you could consult a solicitor and they might write a strong letter requiring the book to be provided by a certain date – sometimes that is all it takes to make a council spring into action but the reality is any court case would be long and expensive. The Obmudsman is often painfully slow so the delay in your case is quite typical unfortunately – I would keep pursuing them though as they might get there in the end. I would think your best option is to contact your local councillor and possibly MP as well as they are the ones who are most likely to be able to get an answer quickly. Also perhaps one of the national adoption agencies like BAAF might be able to advise you on what steps you can take? If you find the answer on how to get it please do let us know.

[oinker]

Thanks for your reply.

I got a reply this morning. The complaint has now gone through to the LA and they have until the 19th to respond.....

I just want this sorted.

Fingers crossed

[fasparent]

Would telephone OFSTED Adoption department Manchester for advice.