What happens now?

[LS2142]

Went to panel last week and were approved. It's been such a long journey and so far we have been focusing on getting to panel. Since approval our SW has showed us a profile that we are definitely very interested in pursuing, she has said she will make contact with his SW and we will go from there. We understand that it's very early days and might not necessarily come to anything but what's the process from now on if fingers crossed all goes well? What's the usual procedure? Thanks X

It depends a bit on your LA and how they do linking. If you're the only person/couple they're talking to about this child, your SW will talk to the child's SW and probably that SW will want to talk to you.

If they're talking to other people about this child, the child's SW will let your SW know whether or not they want to continue with you as the proposed match.

If child's SW thinks you're a good match, there'll be more information coming your way, a chance to meet FCs, see medical reports etc with the ultimate goal of getting you to matching panel in a few months. (For us it was 4 but I think that's quite long.)

So for now, sit tight and see what child's SW says.

If child is from same LA as you, it should be quicker than if your SW is approaching another LA.

That's made it much clearer, thank you.
How do people do this waiting? It's only been a couple of days and it's driving me nuts

I have no idea. For us this bit was quick!

Probably wouldn't hurt to call your SW and find out if you're in a competitive situation for this LO or if you're the only prospective adopters they're speaking to at the moment though.

Learning from recent (bitter) experience, it's wise not to try to get too excited/attached until you've seen all the information from medical reports etc. The CPR (as I now know ) is really just the tip of the iceberg. You owe it to yourself and LO to find out much more before you make your minds up.

You need to talk to your SW I'm really sorry that you might have been left in the dark about the process. Your SW should've been really clear.
We have had our lovely little boy for almost a year and have left the process with a bittersweet attitude towards social workers- they're a mix of amazing and atrocious (like all professions)
Ask how many other people are interested in the little lad and what is happening next.
The process seems different for everyone.

So after a couple of whirlwind days...we are having a visit from the child's social worker next week! Things are moving so fast it's a little bit scary

Brilliant! Are you the only people in the mix atm?

I don't know, everything is being done by email at the mo...our social worker is actually on annual leave, but being kind enough to sort this out for us. We are talking to her Monday

How did everything go? We have a match and are now waiting for panel and meeting with FC having recently met the SW.