What to expect with adoption?

[Woo83]

After years of dealing with infertility; my husband and I have decided to go for adoption to expand our family. We have not put any formal applications in yet as we have been advised to sit on our decision for 6 months to make sure we are committed. We are 2 months of being able to apply and we are still very keen to open our lives and share our life to a child’s life. We have a wonderful 5 year old son via Ivf but always wanted a bigger family and we have so much love to give and I can’t tell how we know but this feels the right step for us after speaking to friends who have adopted our families I am just excited to get the process started. However, I would like any advice of what to expect as we are under no illusion it will be easy but like to know what to expect going forward. We have the support of families and friends. Thanks in advance.

[topcat2014]

I am one year in to the process. We have a 12 year old. We have learnt a great deal so far. Who is telling you to wait? Nothin g happens fast, so why not start now :)

[Jellycatspyjamas]

When you’re asking about what to expect, do you mean in the adoption process or after a child is placed?

[Woo83]

Topcat2014 we have been told to wait because we have to wait 6 months from the point we stop attending the hospital for infertility treatment and that was just August time otherwise we would be applying now! Jelly cat pyjamas we are just wanting to know what to expect about the process and when a child is matched.

[topcat2014]

@woo83, oh I see, yes the time frame makes sense.

Process is basically as follows:

Sign up, meet SW, for first 'official' visit and complete "Registration of Interest".

Commence stage 1 of the training, get DBS checks done (by the LA or whatever) and complete a workbook or similar. Workbook includes things like family trees. Go on stage 1 prep course - day or day and a half. Have medicals done.

"Pass" stage 1 and go onto stage 2.

Stage 2 - includes half a dozen home visits from your SW who is working on your application file "Prospective Adopters Report" .
Also includes about 3 days course - in our case spread over 3 weeks.

Be put forward for Adoption Panel (for approval as adopters)

Begin process of matching.

Match with child - including another panel.

Introductions (over 2 weeks)

Child moves in

Some time later (10 weeks plus) apply for adoption order.

easy peasy lemon squeezey

[Woo83]

Thank you for replying! Sounds so easy yet so complicated! Just looking forward to getting the ball rolling! I’m actually excited! Me and my hubby have been through so much with infertility journey that this fees so right! I’m glad you have given me an idea of what to expect much appreciated xx

[topcat2014]

Keep in touch on this board - it is v friendly :)

[Woo83]

Thank you will do! Xx

[KelP85]

Hi! My husband and I are starting stage 2, we have recently been on a 3 day course & have been assigned our social worker, hoping to hear off her this week to arrange meetings, we have been told it’s 8 as a couple and then 1 each on our own!
We have been trying to conceive for over 6 years, diagnosed as “unexplained fertility “ and no reason why we couldn’t conceive.
We had to wait 12 months on the nhs for ivf which we were lucky to have 2 cycles with the Wales Fertilty Institute, neither worked unfortunately and our frozen embryo failed too
We decided to wait Awhile before actually contacting our local adoption agency and allow us time to grieve yet another loss, but can finally say we are on the road to expanding our family!
@woo83 I would say go for it! Don’t worry about the 2 months to wait, apply for the registration of interest form , they took nearly a month to arrange an initial visit with us and it’s been another 6 weeks waiting for the SW to be assigned from the initial visit!

[insmithereens]

Whilst you're waiting you can certainly start making your way through the approved reading list (and other books not on the list) as that will keep you busy & will give you a head start when you get to the beginning of the process. You can ask for your LA/agency's reading list or just start reading anything you can get your hands on.

I'm sure others will chime in too but I'd recommend

• what to expect when you're adopting
• how I met my son
• no matter what & the unofficial guide to adoption by Sally D.
• An adoption diary
• the A-Z of attachment & therapeutic parenting

They will certainly get you started! Some of them may be a bit doom & gloom but all are good reading

[Woo83]

Thank you! Any info I can is going to help! I think me and our hubby are going to make some initial enquires and see where to go from there!