Disillusioned

[MyNameIsFled]

Name changed to protect my privacy

We are starting stage 2 but yet again SW very negative about our dogs. They are socialised and used to birth children but SW said that panel will view them negatively.

Is this normal? Neighbouring agency said it wasn't a problem but reluctant to change agency 5months down the line.

It feels such a negative experience when we are experienced parents already

Meant to add I've name changed as I've been cyber stalked on chat so my wanting this to be found

She says the problem is that we have 3 dogs and 2 cats. They are trained/socialised. We told her that animals never left unattended with children, sleep downstairs, and would rehome animals if any problem with AC (or BC for that matter).

We have prev rehomed a dog as she was scared when DS1 was born and was at dogs trust within the week. As much for her sake as DS1's. She said panel will view animals negatively and put us at a disadvantage to other potential adopters

Hmm. I'm not sure that her opinion is representative of that shared by all social workers or Panel for that mind. It sounds as though this is an issue very personal to her. I would shove it to the back of your mind but have a god behaviouralist up up your sleeve just in case this does rear its head when it comes to them making a recommendation as to your suitability prior to panel.

Definitely sounds like her personal opinion. We have three dogs and the panel members all commented that they sounded Lovely and would be great company for a child

Thankyou for the PM allthingswillpass. Now got tears in my eyes

what rubbish... pets can be amazing therapy for children who have suffered trauma.

We have 4 dogs - it wasnt an issue for fostering or adopting.

You will need to build your case and pay careful attention to your PAR (assuming you get that far) - ensure it states that you are willing to rehome, have already been in a similar situation where you did rehome, and I would recommend getting reports done from a pet behaviour specialist.... on this basis - I fail to see how they can have an issue if all things are positive and you have well behaved dogs and manage them responsibly around children.

Welcome to the rollercoaster of adoption!!

You can agree too a professional assessment for your dogs temperament's
this is required for most foster parents who have dogs, have a guidance regards too breads , this is a national standards guidance requirement. Your LA should be able too point you in the right direction , would ask them.

Thankyou for everyone's comments. Our vet is one of the ones the agency use for behavioural checks so am not sure if he would be allowed to assess the dogs as he's known them for years (the youngest two since they were 8wks old).

I'm more than happy to have any professional assessment of their temperament. However I'm more concerned that our SW is supposed to be on our side representing us. How can she do this if she doesn't like our home/lifestyle choices ie pets?

Hi :) You have a very good answer for panel should they query anything about the dogs, the fact you have rehomed a dog due to children already speaks volumes. As for your sw being on your side, her raising this as an issue may be her doing just that!?!? Maybe she's been in a panel where they had an issue with dogs, or she knows adoption sw's who have turned down previous adopters of hers because they have dogs and another couple doesn't. She may just be making you aware of it so you are properly prepped. I'd see my sw as more on my side had she fully prepped us rather than get a surprise question at panel or turned down for a match with a surprising reason. Truth is there could be a panel member who has issues with it, or an adoption sw that does, or a child that won't be a good match cause they have an issue with dogs, but panels are made up of more than one person, there are many adoption sw's, not just a minority who may have issues with dogs (if forced to find reasons to choose between couples) and if a child is not a match for that reason, well that need be the only reason.
I guess what I'm trying to say is maybe she is trying to prep you for a small chance of an issue rather than put a negative angle on your whole panel?!?! I'd say thanks for the heads up, I have my answer should I get questioned on it and move on.....onwards and upwards :) :) :) It will be fine :)

A lot of foster carers have dogs too, so chances are a child will usually have been exposed to them. Good luck! It must be very hard to rehome a pet.