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Adoption

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on adoption.

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Original poster

Time scale

13 replies

Char22thom · 15/06/2014 07:54

Although we understand that being matched with a child can take some time, and varies from family to family, we are wondering how long it takes from being matched to the child being placed 'full time' with you? This is partly a work issue- needing the time off and arranging that is straight forward but what about working your 'notice'? How much time do you have between matching and needing to begin introductions and 'transition' between FC and new family? how have others organised this? Thanks in advance x

OP posts:

Hels20 · 15/06/2014 08:36

It took us 3 whole months - from the SW of DS meeting us and confirming she would like to go through with the match. We had first seenDS's profile about 10 days before we met his social worker.

We thought she acted quickly.

But we had to wait a month to meet DS's foster carer which was a bit frustrating!

Original poster

Char22thom · 15/06/2014 08:46

Thank you Hels, would be interested in others experiences too x

OP posts:

HappySunflower · 15/06/2014 08:46

In my area it is usually 8 weeks minimum. It generally takes that long to have all the meetings with sws, foster carers, medical advisor, and get a date for matching panel.

Hels20 · 15/06/2014 08:52

Ps I would say that you have at least 6 weeks - maybe longer between all agreeing you are definitely going to proceed and the matching panel date. Our introductions started a week after matching panel.

Our LA only has matching panel once a month...and they have to get papers in about 4 weeks before.

This is what happened for us and DS (we were approved by a different agency to the LA that we adopted through).

Approx

Week 1 - saw profile, requested CPR, read CPR and confirmed interest

Week 2 - social worker of DS visited us (this was exceptionally quick). SW confirmed no one else had yet expressed interest for DS.

Week 6 - met Foster parents, met Doctor. Confirmed interest again 2 days later.

Week 16 - went to panel

Week 17 - met DS for first time (intros started)

Week 19 - DS moved in.

Between weeks 6 and 16 we asked lots of questions.

Choccyjules · 15/06/2014 10:17

We are still waiting/looking for a match but have told work that they will get approx 6 weeks notice (I fully expect it is likely to be more) before I go off on leave.

Then they can work with the worst-case scenario, ie the shortest time possible. The Adoption Leave policy states that they accept adopters will not be able to give much notice (phew).

FamiliesShareGerms · 15/06/2014 10:22

We moved super fast:

matching panel a month after we saw her profile, which was the first one available. In that month we met FC, saw a video etc etc.

introductions started the next week (I think panel was Thurs, intros on Mon). They lasted 10 days then DD was home with us for good

I came into work from matching and said "see you in 8 months" - closest I'll get to that lottery winning Jack in the job moment . I had warned them it might happen like that when the match was originally discussed...

GirlsWhoWearGlasses · 15/06/2014 10:51

We were two months between hearing about our DD and meeting her (that included Christmas though), then another six days til she was home with us.

We told work after we were approved so they knew to expect it. You don't need to work any notice technically, but I think keeping them in the loop is wise for once you return.

RhinosAreFatUnicorns · 15/06/2014 11:54

Phone call, then CPR took a couple of weeks - delayed a bit by us as it was our first profile and we needed to take a breath. Met SW about 2-3 weeks later. Matching panel was 8 weeks after initial call, then finished work the week after.

Re work, we recruited a interim who was appointed on the condition that she would only start subject to successful matching panel, so also had little notice to start :)

odyssey2001 · 15/06/2014 17:22

Three and a half months from coffee morning to intros. We could have shaved a few weeks off at the beginning (waiting for PAR to be finished) but this timeframe was set by sw a month into matching and we stuck to it to the day.

Italiangreyhound · 15/06/2014 23:01

Fro hearing about ds to agreeing to him with social workers, about three weeks.
Then about 10 week wait until panel.
From panel to first meeting 2 weeks.
Then he moved in a week later.
Once you are approved to adopt you can tell your employer and find out what we say. We knew we would not be able to give a month's warning, the official letter to say we could adopt ds only came a week before i started adoption leave, but the company knew when we were informally linked 10 weeks before and I said it was about 95% certain, so they really had about two and a half month's warning to get prepared.

Good luck (I was asking same question a lot last year!)

Italiangreyhound · 15/06/2014 23:05

Sorry... and find out what they say.

and

I knew I would not be able to give a month's warning...

Whatutalkinboutwillis · 17/06/2014 17:22

We heard about ds on 27th sep, intros 23rd oct, moved in 1st nov. very fast!

MrsBW · 17/06/2014 21:58

Matching to intros starting...1 wk.

Placement 1 week after that.

We had been keeping work abreast of timescales in advance!!

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