First information evening

[teekay88]

Hi all

Thanks so much for all your help and advice so far. I have my first information evening coming up on Tuesday having had telephone interviews with all approached agencies in the last couple weeks. I really want to make sure I make the most of the evening so wondered if anybody has advice on what I can expect to happen? Also are there opportunities to have any one to one time to speak to SWs at this event or is it very much a presentational format? Finally, what would I need to do if we decided to go ahead with this agency after the eve (saying this we are waiting until mid November so we can go to another 2 first)

Many thanks as always for your help

[DeegeeDee]

Firstly, well done on taking the next step.

From memory, they will talk through the event: who they are, the LAs represented, how the process works and the speakers you will hear from. I do remember that we got the opportunity to speak to the SWs afterwards but not for long as there was a long line. They will leave an info pack with next steps and contact details for you.

All a bit of a blur (almost a year on) as lots of the terminology went over our heads at the time but makes more sense as we've progresssed through the system. We also waited a while before taking the next step too.

[hidinginthenightgarden]

When we went they spoke about the process, timings, and had someone come in to discuss there own experience.
Some things I would be asking are how long it usually takes to be approved/matched. How many children do they have in their care (will give you an idea of how realistic their matching prospects are). What support they offer post adoption.

[teekay88]

So sorry i had thought i had replied already. Thank you both really useful and i will be sure to keep in mind. The LA we're visiting today states it has 34 children waiting for families atm so will be nice to hear more about them. For the benefit of anyone who may want more info ill update later with how it was. We've hit a stumbling block already due to my partners smoking. Hes in the process of giving up which we thought would count for something whilr we're in the esrly stages but they seem to want him given up fot a month or 3 before coming bk to them

[DeegeeDee]

Aww OP , it is a shame but get why they want to ensure healthy people are in the system.