How does it work with adoption leave?

[Italiangreyhound]

Hi

Just curious but assuming you get approved to adopt, then you wait and there is a match, at what point do you tell your boss you are going on adoption leave?

How much warning can you give them?

How long can you take legally?

Just thinking way way way ahead because my brain works like that.

Interested to hear people?s experiences if they are willing to share, please?

Thanks

Legally you can take the same time and statutory pay as maternity leave HOWEVER you don't get the 6 weeks initial enhanced maternity pay at 90% of salary because of course adoptive children don't need their parents at home when they first arrive as new borns do

Adoption leave starts the day child moves in or up to 14 days before. You have to tell employer within 7 days of being matched. Details here www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/Moneyandworkentitlements/WorkAndFamilies/Adoptionrightsintheworkplace/DG_10029406

Many, if not most, employers are now offering the 6 weeks on 90% now.
My employer offers exactly the same as if I were on maternity leave.
It is worth looking up the policy at your individual place of work as benefits/pay do vary from one employer to another.
A friend of mine, for example, was offered 10 months on full pay by her employer- the same offered to colleagues on maternity leave.

The statutory is only the minimum that you will get.

Thanks so much. Can I ask roughly after matching how quickly your children came home? I am just trying to work out how much warning my boss will get if we are approved and matched! I know it sounds crazy but I always want to be a few steps ahead of myself!

Thanks Kew and Happysunflower.

my employer paid bare minimum - sadly I know many who do the same.

Things vary from one local authority to another.

In my area, what normally happens is that you are told about a child/sibling group, have several meetings to discuss them, and have their casenotes/chronology shared with you.
Then, if you feel that you'd like to take things further, you'll meet their social worker, then their foster carer and sometimes see some photos/video. Matching involves another panel interview, so it can take a few weeks or even a few months from when you are told about them to go back to panel.
Introductions usually start a few weeks after matching panel.
Things didn't happen normally for us at all, but, going by most of my friends from prep group, their introductions started around 2-3 months after first being told about their child/ren.

It can take some time for the right match to be found. A potential match is often identified before approval panel, or, it can take several months or even a year or so for the right match to be presented.

What stage are you at now?

For me, introductions started six days after matching panel, after all the planning meetings, and then dd came home the week after that. So notifying my employer was really more confirming the warning I had already given them.

We were matched with a child under 1. Introductions with older children usually take longer.

Thanks again Kew and Happysunflower - we are RIGHT at the start! Cannop approach social services until next month, am just a planner! And an optimist!

Feel sure the child will be older so if introductions will take longer that is fine. I know I am mad but I guess I am already getting exciting and after ages of loving my job it is now taking very much a back seat to our future family plans and needs! I really wish we could whiz forward but I know that each step will be important.

Thanks Devora.

I know anyone reading this must think we are crazy but we have been thinking about this for about 6 years - off and on!

Not crazy, excited- and I remember those days all too well! :)

I was lucky to get exactly the same as maternity leave. We waited years then had to move in weeks! Work were great. It was a whirlwind but worth it.

Thanks, most of the time I love my job but I know the child will come first. just as it should be - always.