Fostering for adoption

[whininganddining]

Hi, long time lurker, occasional poster and regular name-changer here!

DP and I are about halfway through stage 2 (the home study) and our SW all along has been very keen on the idea of fostering to adopt for us. I expect that as our LA are pretty newly doing it, she has to promote it with everyone.
We've been, while interested, fairly dismissive due to the financial implications - no adoption leave initially, the need for a very understanding employer to give unpaid leave for an unspecified length of time until PO/ adoption leave kicks in etc
Now our SW has told us that 2015 will hopefully see changes in this, and that adoption leave (from work) should be available from the start of the fostering part of the process.

Do any of you much better informed than me adopters know any more about this, or would be able to explain it a bit more to me, please?
If adoption leave from work was available from the outset we would definitely consider this route.

Many thanks

(ps. I am aware of the other myriad of issues and the personal risks involved with this process and really just want advice on the imminent changes to financial/work leave aspects. Thanks)

[Velvet1973]

Yes it is changing as part of the new families bill in March or April. Fostering for adoption will be treated as normal adoption then so adoption leave and pay will kick in from the point of the fostering to adopt placement rather than at the adoption matching panel.

[Velvet1973]

This gives a brief overview of the changes from employers point of view.
employment.law-ondemand.com/fostering-for-adoption-a-flexible-policy/

[whininganddining]

Thanks so much Velvet1973 that's really useful and that link is exactly the info I was looking for.
I know from other posts that you are also going down this route, and are much much further down the road. I hope everything is progressing smoothly with your plans for your LO's arrival. Good luck with everything.
Thanks again

[Velvet1973]

It's kind of taken an unusual turn as adoption often can do! Because of various delays etc we will only be fostering once the placement order is granted so there is a bit more certainty there-as much as there can be in adoption. I think that's a very unusual situation but it's to try and prevent possibly 2-3 months of delays waiting for a matching panel in January and then intros etc. also if bm appeals they can not place,so this way we can foster whilst this all goes on.