IRM recommended LA won't approve. What to do?

[sassymay]

After believing our 18 month journey to approval had come to a successful end with IRM recommendation we have now had setback that LA still refusing to approve. The reasons don't strike me as 'substantial'.
Is there anyone out there with the same experience?
Is the only option to start again with another agency?
Feeling hurt and dispirited. The very process designed to help traumatised children find homes/healing seems at times simply to traumatise the adults wanting to adopt! Any thoughts?

I'm sorry to hear this.

Is there any way around the reasons the LA has stated, or are they fixed things you can't alter or mitigate?

If the LA won't budge, and you really don't think they are right, then you'll have to start again I guess. Make sure you are up front you have been assessed before and IRM said yes but LA said no.

Sorry, I don't know andthis must be devastating for you.

I know you cannot say here but I agree with Sanders are these things you could change, all be it with effort and/or expense etc? Or are they things you simply cannot change?

Maybe you could get some advice from:

Adoption UK www.adoptionuk.org/

first4adoption www.first4adoption.org.uk/

BAAF www.baaf.org.uk/

All best wishes.