First visit!

[LampingPolars]

In September, myself and my husband attended an adoption event and afterwards, we spoke to a social worker, filled in some forms and then because we were moving house and my husband is blind she suggested we go away, get some information regarding him parenting and contact them again in November to formally start the process. Because November and Christmas were manic, a couple of weeks ago I phoned the agency to get the ball rolling. The gentleman that I spoke to said he thought we had changed our minds and was glad I had called because after the information night they had all spoken about us and felt we would be brilliant adoptive parents, stand an excellent chance of being approved and he had assigned us to a LA and social worker- the one we spoke to at the event.

The social worker has just called and is coming round to our house next week. What should we expect to happen?

That's great, I was so nervous about my first visit - but don't worry, you don't need to be. It is just as much about you asking for information than them examining you.

They will explain the process,and you can ask as many questions as you want - might be worth asking about training, support, they offer - are they a Local Authority (the council) or a Voluntary Agency? There are lots of different agencies, and I had first visits with a couple before I found the one right for me. I just knew which one when the social worker from the agency I used came round, the first one seems a bit pushy and I felt she wasn't really listening to me.

I found they asked a tiny bit about everything, (health, support network, reason for adopting, finances etc) which was good as I got all the reasons why I thought I couldn't adopt 'out the way' she had a quick look round my house, and I explained which one LO's room would be, don't worry about it all being perfect!

Everyone on here is very friendly (I have lurked here a long time, and recently started posting now approved) so feel free to ask any questions, and let us know how it goes.

LampingPolars good luck. Don't know for sure what you will get but this is what happened to us.....

Offered coffee and biscuits.

Chatted, whole story of why we could not get pregnant again (we have a dd, then she was about 7, now 10, ds arrived last year but process is now quicker I believe).

I was asked about IVF (we had a lot), I talked, cried a tiny bit etc etc. All was fine. I was over it, had counselling etc but still it was emotional and social worker was understanding and just so very nice (in best possible way).

Last of all she looked around the house. I think the main thing she was looking for was did we have room for a new child. I had cleaned and tidied A LOT but our house will never be very clean or very tidy so I would just say to have your house clean and tidy enough! It is not a show home etc but you don't want a ladder to fall on her/him when they open the spare room door! (Pretty obvious stuff but I have seen houses when you could not get in the spare room for a circular saw on the floor, that sort of thing! And pre children most people do have the potential to have tools lying around etc (if they are into DIY) but I would make the place look safe, bright, inviting, not too tidy or too messy and just nice! They may not look round there and then but they will at some point.

All the best.

Please let us know how it goes.

Thank you both. I am so excited but also nervous. Must remember to buy biscuits...

We want this so badly.

I'm back!

It went well- we hope.

We talked for over two hours, then she looked round the house and gave us 'homework'- our chronologies to write. She has emailed today and said that she's finished writing her report so will let us know by Friday (hopefully) if we can continue with our application.

When she was here she was talking about the training days and the changes they will have to make for my husband to accommodate his disability (he's blind) whilst we are there and that it's in May and not to make any plans so she sounded quite positive.

I didn't buy biscuits!

I bought biscuits and forgot to offer them...