How's this for timing!

[CharlieSays13]

From Approval Panel to Link Meeting in 12 days! No hanging about here, which is both wonderful and ever so slightly terrifying. We're fairly well prepared but I'd be very interested to hear how others Link Meetings have gone and any questions you think we need to be asking. Many thanks.

[GiddyGardner]

We are on pretty much the same timings here too! Terrifying isn't it, but exciting as well. Just trying not to get over excited as well as planning ahead - it's a fine balance! Our first link meeting next week!

[CharlieSays13]

Congratulations on your approval Giddy! It's such an exciting time. Hope your link meeting goes well
😀

[GiddyGardner]

Congratulations to you too and all the best for your meeting. We have taken about 15 months to get to approval (not our delays), so excited but proceeding with caution paranoid that it will get snatched away! We have found the linking process very strange.

[CharlieSays13]

We're almost a year from initial visit to approval. We've been tentatively matched for a couple of months already, subject to our approval. So now it's all systems go. Of course it's not a done deal yet but it's looking very likely. Feeling very positive but keeping everything in check until its official, which is very hard. Exciting being at the same stage! Keep in touch for future hand holding 😁

[GiddyGardner]

Yes def, it will be good to compare notes. I loved your post and would also like to hear from those with experience of first meetings. What to expect, what to prepare, what questions to ask? So I'm hoping someone will come along to advise.

[Italiangreyhound]

@CharlieSays13 just write a big check list and slot in answers as they speak (you will forget otherwise) then ask any remaining questions at the end.

It really depends how old the child is/children are.

I'd want to know....

Their history, why they came into care?

Any issues around health?

Any known issues around attachment, etc?

What the relationship is like with foster carer/s?

How their sleep patterns are (good, bad etc)

Were they a good eater/fussy eater?

Behaviour, routine etc.

Their birth family situation.

Do they have siblings?

Would there be letter box contact/any expected contact?

The older they were there would be more questions about friendships/school or pre school etc.

I expect they will tell you all this and it may prompt more question. Think always when/how etc . So medical issues when did it start/ how is it being treated, etc.

Good luck.

[B1rdonawire]

Hope both meetings go positively! If the SW knows the child well, I would ask what are their hopes and aspirations for this child, and also what do they think will be the biggest life challenges for this child. I'd want to know as much as poss about birth family (we were lucky and the SW knew the family over a long time so was able to give a really helpful picture).

Bear in mind that how the child presents in foster family may not be how they are with you, especially when distressed and scared. I would ask what soothes or calms them, what things trigger them (loud noises, particular smells or tastes, etc).

[exercisejunkie]

I was also very lucky,

Linking meeting with little ones SW and mind a month before approval panel, matching panel 2 weeks after approval panel. From filling in paperwork to start the adoption process to placement day was 10 1/2 months.

[CharlieSays13]

Thanks guys. I'm armed with a super list of questions now.
👍