advice needed about adoption for friend

[jude555]

A friend of a friend learnt a while ago that she was being declined for adoption because of a previous, one-time only drink/driving offence. She is a teacher, and apart from this, obviously regretable, incident she is perfect adoptive parent material. She has told my friend that she is still completely devastated and feels her life is over. Would it be advisable for her to try another agency? or will they all react the same way? I don't want to get her hopes up, so I thought I would ask people who might know the answer before I suggest it. many thanks

i'm sorry I dont know the answer. I thought that the only offences that woudl automatically render you unsuitable woudl be those of violence aganst children ( as an adult)

i suspect she might need to write to other agencies to find out their policies on this

depending on how long ago she was turned down, she can also appeal the decision. I know people who have succesfully appealed a negative panel decision.

thanks for your advice, i'll pass it on

i am aware that offences over 5 years ago will be looked by the head of childrens services and they will make the decision about if the applicant can proceed. i would try again.

i am aware that offences over 5 years ago will be looked by the head of childrens services and they will make the decision about if the applicant can proceed. i would try again.

another word of advice....its best to apply to a local authority, not only are they fair in their approach unlike private, business ran adoption agencies, but they also are the ones trying to place real children.

the private agenices tend to be used by local authority social workers to place children with more needs or who are in large sibling groups.

Did she get as far as the adoption panel or did her local authority say they wouldn't proceed with the assessment when they found out about the conviction? I'd say if it was the latter, she should definitely try another local authority, but if she got as far as panel and was turned down she will have a MUCH harder job being reconsidered.

but on the ther hand Janni - if you get turned down at panel you can appeal and appeals are very commonly upheld. If you never get as far as panel ten there is nothing you can do if a VA or another authority knows you have previously applied to someone else they will contact that authority before accepting your application so it might not get her any further.

I realise this may all be academic now but would also be interested in what happended.

Fair enough, Kewcumber.
I'd also like to know the outcome of this one.