Adoption checks

[1982Britney]

Hi, we are just waiting for the initial home visit at the moment so it's still massively early days. If all goes well and they decide to take things forward, what are the stage one checks like. How intense is the medical? Do they need to see all of the referees or just one? And of course what is the financial check like, is it just a credit score check or will they need to see bank statements etc. Or is it just a form of incomings and outgoings. ? Any other info about the initial visit or stage 1 greatly appreciated. After 6 years dealing with infertility, I am terrified of something not going right, not used to getting good news....

[Ladyg89]

Hi. We are close to approval panel (next week). I know how daunting it can be. The medical is just how you are at the moment. Any long term illness, weight checks and any mental illness. Financial checks are just bank statements etc showing you can afford to adopt and all of your references will have questionires and a visit. If I can give you any advice it would be to not look forward. Take one step at a time. Good luck. Sending lots of love xxx

[1982Britney]

Thanks so much for answering. It's so difficult not to look ahead but you're right. Due to failed rounds of ivf we're not n the best place financially, we do end up in overdraft each month and also have a couple of credit cards. We're departing whether to give it a few months to sort finances before we go ahead.

[ifchocolatewerecelery]

I'd give it a few months to really get your finances in order. You will be expected to commit to one of you having a year off on adoption leave when a child is placed. I would talk to your employer to find out what their policy is with regards to adoption pay - most companies pay the same for adoption as they do for maternity/paternity leave pay. If you have to go on statutory entitlement only would you be able to afford it?

[1982Britney]

Thanks for answering, you're probably right that we do things right, We could easily make a difference in a few months if we set our minds to it. My job gives 6 months full pay so we're lucky in that regard but I would really want to be able to take 9 months off work so we probably would need to account for that. What are the adoption agencies like if we each have a credit card, does it matter, we are paying more than the minimum payment each month.

[topcat2014]

The process takes a while a year at least so plenty time to save up. Medical will depend on circs. For a fit person with no chronic illnesses about 45 minutes, and £100, should do it.

Finances - we just did income and expenditure form, before and after a child. No bank statements etc required.

Be prepared for some little knocks along the way, meetings being cancelled, or some feedback that is less than glowing. I don't know anyone who sailed through the whole thing.

Do not put your life on hold, and don't look too far ahead. Good luck.

[Weatherforducks]

Credit/debt will not be an issue as long as you can demonstrate that it is manageable, factoring in the costs of a child/children - and they are expensive! So debts are relative depending on what’s coming in. If taking a few months out to help with finances helps/Ease the burden, I would say do it. When placed with a child/children, you have so much more to worry about - so if you can make life a little more comfortable either by saving or clearing some debt, it will pay dividends.

[Weatherforducks]

Just to add though, no matter where any of us are in the process, most of us worried about something or other, whether it be medical, finance or family history. And they really are not looking for perfection in adopters...in fact, they really like it when you can reflect (you’ll hear that word a lot) on your strengths and weaknesses and understand how you overcame past challenges and how you can overcome future challenges. All the best, the process is long and challenging, but you will get there if you are open to jumping any hoops presented and challenging your own preconceptions.

[1982Britney]

Weather thanks for your comment, you are so right!! I think after 6 years of infertility I'm almost expecting something to happen... u just put things back into perspective for me. We are going to take a couple months and get started....

[Ted27]

Managed debt is Ok, as long as it's not out of control and you are relying on credit cards for day to day expenditure. Sws should be able to see the difference between debt incurred because of your IVF and just excess spending. They just want to know you can afford a child, if you are dipping into overdraft now it will just get worse with a child- and you don't want the added stress either. A few months to get straight won't harm and you can use the time to do some reading and research. Good luck