2nd opinion interview - hand holding needed

8 replies

MrsBW · 31/01/2014 13:50

Had 2nd opinion interview a couple of days ago.

For those that don't know, our process has been going on for a long time for various reasons .... We made the call all the way back in July 2012.

Panel soon... 4th date we've been given.

We had a total grilling at our 2nd opinion interview. Worse than any of our home study interviews.

I can't help thinking this is going to ruin our chances. Report is due on Monday and will be sent to us for sign off.

I know they're designed to iron out any last minute misunderstandings/gaps. But we have had so many setbacks on our journey.

Did anyone else feel this way about their 2nd opinion?

OP posts:

Hels20 · 31/01/2014 14:57

Hi Mrs BW - what's a second opinion interview?

Original poster

MrsBW · 31/01/2014 15:07

It's when, at the end of your home study (but before panel), a second social worker reads your report and comes out to meet you to fill in any gaps/work through any remaining concerns.

They then write a short report that gets included in your PAR.

OP posts:

allthingswillpass · 31/01/2014 15:38

Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry to hear that you've had a battle.
Ours was straight forward. She had read our PAR and IMO one of the reasons they visit is to make sure that the assessing SW hasn't missed anything major and allows them to get a feeling of you as people. Not to get a grilling!
Our journey was 35 months if that makes you feel any better.
Remain positive and resilient. It will all stand you in good stead for having a LO.
Very best wishes xxxxx

Moomoomie · 31/01/2014 17:32

Sorryto hear that mrsbj.
Is your social worker inexperienced? The second one is normally more senior, maybe she was making sure everything had been covered.
I must admit I found the second opinion more formal, she concentrated a lot on our dogs and my relationship with them.

Italiangreyhound · 31/01/2014 18:07

Sorry to hear that MrsBW I hope you will feel better and all will go smoothly from here.

RationalThought · 31/01/2014 19:02

At ours the manager asked all of the most difficult questions that she expected from the panel, based on previous experience. This was to ensure that we were fully prepared and the panel was far easier than it could otherwise have been. I hope and trust that this is the case for you too.

Hels20 · 31/01/2014 19:14

Gosh - I am not sure if this happened to us. If it did, I was not aware. I did have a follow up interview with my SW when she was writing report to check some
Things but never had a visit from a second SW. How stressful. Feel for you.

roadwalker · 31/01/2014 19:45

We had a 2nd opinion interview although our LA have now stopped doing them due to cut backs
We didn't get on at all with the SW and found her judgmental and patronising
She told us where she was from and it is a very snooty area and that is how we found her. I am so glad she didn't do our home study!
It didn't change anything and we got through panel with flying colours so I hope you feel better
Sending good wishes for your panel

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