Prospective adopters and leave from work

[Moomin]

A friend of mine that I work with is trying to adopt at the moment and has been asked to attend the first round of meetings later this and next month. I seem to remember when I had my maternity leave stuff that adoptive parents had the right o attend preliminary meetings in the same way that pregnant staff have the right to attend antenatal appointments. Is this right? We're both teachers but can't find anything on the union website, just info about leave after the adoption. Thanks

no rights to anything until you have been placed. I took all my course etc as holiday. Interestingly statutory adoption pay is always at teh lower £100 level no 6 weeks of enhanced 90% pay for first 6 weeks for adoption - wouldn't think they were trying to encourage people to adopt would you. Can only think the people who decided the differnce in levels know absolutely nothing about adoption!

some employers might be kind and give you the time but I don;t beleive there a right to it.

Thanks, that's interesting. I think our employer will actually be ok about the time taken (obviously she can't take it as holiday with the job we're in) - it's quite a 'right-on' kind of authority and I think the powers that be will try to present a supportive front and be flexible. I'll pass the info on.

Most employers will give you time off once there is a match. Similar to anti natal classes. You should definitely get panel meetings and introductions to your adoptive child.