Such a long wait....

[ShootingStarsinthesky]

Hi, I'm sure some of you will remember me from my thread earlier this year when you gave terrific support after my DH and I went through an Introduction breakdown a day before the child was due to stay with us. Now nearly 4 months on we have had meetings with the Adoption Team and changed our SW and they have said we can try again.

We have been told to do as much as we can to show panel (yes we will have to go back to them as it is now over a year since we were passed as Adopters) that we have learnt from the breakdown with the child and that it would not happen again. I am just starting a Parental Course and I have helped at nurseries, Rainbows, read books etc. My DH and I are just so frustrated our SW is saying go back to panel in January 2015 but we want to go before this. We/they have to get it right next time I do appreciate but when there are so many children out there waiting for a home it seems unfair. Sorry for the moan.

Why is she saying Jan 15, because she thinks you need the extra time or because they don;t have a slot before then?

Do you actually need to go back to panel - I thought after a year it was just a review which in my case just meant a visit from a social worker to update

Hi shooting stars, of course I remember you and I'm glad to see that things are moving on for you and your DH

How is the "work experience " at rainbows going? Does this mean you are seeking to approved for a school aged child this time ?

I hope you are looking after your health too, this can be a stressful time. Did you manage to get your medications sorted out? And how is the diet /exercise programme going?

Yes I do remember you too!!

Didn't post at the time but did think you were so honest and brave. Surely a good SW should see this as a positive. Much better than throwing the towel in after LO had lived with you for a while

Well done for your work experience, look after yourselves and good luck!!

Thank you all for your replies. We are going back to panel because it is over a year since we were passed as adopters and because they want to hear what went wrong with our Intro as if hours of meetings with them has not cleared this up!! We have just learnt that as it is in fact longer since our medicals and police checks we have to do these again as well, oh and they will speak again by phone not in person with our referees and on and on it goes.

We are booked to go back to panel in January as apparently nothing happens at the end of November and into December as people on panels have so many other things to do at that time of year!!

We are in fact thinking of going for a child of about 18 months so that we have a child that could perhaps grow into our family and maybe not have the problems a 3-4 year old may have experienced. We just want to get on with it all to be honest it feels like life is constantly on hold especially now going over old ground.

On a more positive note I have found the Rainbows, Private Nursery and Special Nursery for children of families who are struggling very interesting and feel I have gained experience from all of them. I am still waiting to start the Adoption Parenting Course I am booked with in October and to be honest my cat is sick of being treated like a substitute baby lol x