Applying to go on panel. What would the role be.

[morethanpotatoprints]

I know this is a stupid question, but mentioned to a friend that I was interested in finding out what happened.
He sits on panels, in his professional capacity.
Oh and my interest is because I am adopted.
So he has found me a contact to volunteer to sit in on the panel as an adopted person. I tried with my own authority but they said they had enough.
Can you tell me if there is a role here and what the point of the adopted person is. Obviously, I don't think its much as I know its a job for the professionals, but wondered what the extra people did?
Have any of you experienced this.

I don't know how getting on to a panel works, but panel's do have to have lay people on them who are involved in adoption - they have an adoptee and an adoptive parent, a medical advisor, an person involved in education, social workers, legal advisor

Your role is not as far as I know different from anyone elses on the panel apart from the minute taker and the chair. You all look over the information given to you and bring in the social workers or adoptive parents involved to ask them questions, and then you consider all the information and make a recommendation. Obviously the legal, educational and medical advisors are especialy looking at those areas, you would be looking more generally. There are 3 kinds of recommendations panel make - whether a child should be adopted, whether a prospective adopter should be approved and whether a particular child should be matched with particular parents.

I remember my panels well! Groups of about 12 people, spent time talking about me, called me in and asked me questions (you are so conscious they are assessing your every word!), sent me out and did the same to my SW... and i waited outside while they did a "raise your hand if Lilka should be approved/should be matched with DD1/DD2/DS" A bit terrifying really!! I've been to 5 panels and had unanimous 'yes' 3 times, and one or two dissenters the other times. But it was a majority vote so one or two no's is okay.

I do think there can be use for a non-professional eye sometimes, and the different perspectives that 'adoption triad' members might have. An adoptee or an adoptive parent might pick up on something the professionals might not have for instance

On the other hand I'm concerned that some panels have clueless idiots on them who frankly do have anywhere near enough knowledge about modern adoption issues - take this example for instance. I was pretty shocked that they let people with those backward views sit on panels TBH!

So in my very humble opinion if you want to be a panel member you should be well read up on adoption issues! Emotional needs, the effects of choas and neglect/abuse, the needs of modern adoptees, contact issues etc

Thank you so much for your response.

I will most definitely make sure I am aware of all the suggestions you made above, because I would hate to be the type who would make your situation worse.
I can't imagine how nervous you must be. I know my mum told me she had to go to court 3 times for each of me and my sisters. She was a confident person and able to hold herself professionally in front of audiences, but she said she was terrified
I am making sure that I don't just give lip service to saying I am open minded , that I assess this and make sure I am.
You have answered my question and I see a bit better now.