Starting the adoption process

[CantThinkOfAUserNameThatILike]

Hi All. I'm have just started going to adoption information events. I have been to both a LA and Voluntary one. The LA one stated that they hardly have any children in their care and it maybe a long wait if accepted. The voluntary one has access to multiple LA children so maybe the option of a quicker route.

What route have you been down any advice?

Hi,
We are due to go to our first open evening tonight, it's all very daunting isn't it?
I have a relative that has fostered many many babies and children from very traumatic back grounds and she has advised me that the LA's as a whole don't usually have the support afterwards, as they don't have the funding, where as the independent agencies tend to get funding to help with things like counselling etc.
Just a thought.
How are you getting along?
Have you made any progress?
😁

Hi I have just submitted my registration of Interest with an LA. Hopefully I'm accepted. I found that the VA sugar coated the process. So I'm just waiting to hear whether I have been accepted for stage 1.
How did you get on today?

Can'tthink we went with our LA which is a county council and they were brilliant. We have been very lucky and had excellent post adoption support.

Voluntary agencies do not have their own children to place so they place children which other agencies cannot. I think once you have been approved 3 months you can approach other agencies/counties/local authorities, you need to check this and also what post adoption support is offered.

@Porkchops123 how did you find information evening?

@Italiangreyhound Thank you for the advice it's early days each stage is going to feel like a long wait!

The info evening was fantastic. Very daunting at first, but very informative. I had read sooo much so knew a lot about things but hubby hadn't so it was great for him to hear.
Met a lovely couple who were to start the process for their 2nd adopted child, they said this agency were brilliant.
The social worker we met last night was lovely reassured all my fears of us being told we weren't suitable.
Obvs no guarentees until the check are done.
But we have started the process. I have had no more than 3 hours sleep a night this week, so I am shattered now, but hopefully things will calm down as we work through the process.
The couple we spoke to said their assessment took 6 months and they took their son home 4 days after the panel approved them! Excited and terrified!

Porkchops123 I'm glad the evening went well. Wow! That must of been the quickest adoption ever.

Hi,
We went with a LA but not our own, as we found them to be a total waste of time. As long a you are within a certain radius I think you can chose other LAs. Once we had found the right people to help us the process was faster than we imagined it would be.

From the initial information evening to our little one moving in with us was just 7 months! Then 6 months later she became ours legally. The whole process could not have been any smoother.

No one is expecting perfection just loving people with a bit of common sence who want to be parents. Be honest, relax and try enjoy the journey. The end result is worth all the stress!! x

@JDL13 congratulations. 7 months that was very quick. I didn't realise that it would be so fast. Well I'm just about to start my stage 1 and I'm excited. What age range of child did you go for?

Lovely stories. What ages were your adopted children?

I have finally finished stage one after lots and lots of waiting.

Now for stage 2 😄

Can'tthink - How exciting that you're moving into phase 2! Do you have a sense of what age / type of child(ren) you'd like to adopt? How have you found the SW's?

Hi Bluefeathers.

I am still undecided but probably a child between 0-4 years old. I know that this is the age that most people want so I expect a long wait.

My social worker has been with me from stage 1 and will stay with me until the end as she is also a family finder. She's lovely we seem to get on well. She doesn't judge you as far as I'm aware.

Great to hear some positive stories. Really hopeful for you.

All, i have a quick question: if we opt for LA do we need to apply to our closest LA or can we go to any? Thanks

Doesn't have to be your LA. In fact this may be a bad idea as (depending on the size of the authority) you don't want to be living near the birth family

We haven't gone with our LA but one which is a 45 min drive away. The thing you need to think about is when you do training and intros you will need to drive to the location within the LA you choose. We were happy to travel up to an hour away as it was one recommended by a friend, and we also thought it would mean less chance of any child bumping into birth family.

Thanks all. Any recommendations on LA in/aroundLondon?

Thanks all. Any recommendations on LA in/aroundLondon?