Waiting game

[IAmMumWho]

So DH and I submitted our paperwork yesterday for the courts. Been told up to 20 weeks as long as no contesting occurs. Can someone in a similar situation give me some waiting tips? And how long did it take for some of you to get your approval and celebratory date? X

For adoption order? Longest was 5 months, but that included lost paperwork by the LA, so I'd say 20 weeks as a max sounds about right.

We put paperwork in late Jan. first court hearing was March, second was April. It then got delayed for 11 weeks because SW missed some paperwork off. Next court date was June, mum was told she has no case for contesting. Order finally granted in August.

Even with contesting ours could have been over much sooner if it wasn't for SS.

Hi! We are in the same position as you. Our paperwork was submitted Tuesday! I’m twiddling my thumbs waiting for a court date now! Xx

I didn't realise it was that long! I know you can apply after 10 weeks and 1 day, but assumed (never assume!) the adoption order would be within a few weeks!

So if we wanted to take baby abroad, after we've applied for the AO, would we have to ask the SW's for permission etc and to get a passport in baby's birth name?

@MummyBear90
Aww wow! Our little journey at the same time. I'm on tenterhooks haha don't know about you! Xx

Hi,

Yes you would need to request a passport in his/her birth name but the decision as to whether or not you can go is split almost 50/50 between the social worker and birth parents. You can’t get a passport in your surname until all the paperwork has come through after the adoption order is granted. That can take weeks/months after the adoption order itself is granted! :(

@IAmMumWho

Oh wow, the birth parents have to agree to it too?

Yeh until the adoption order has been granted the local authority and birth parents have 50/50 parental rights. From what I’ve heard it’s more like 49% birth parents 51% social workers though so I think the social workers can overrule the birth parents if they are happy to do so. What stage are you at? X

Ah okay. We don't have actual plans as yet, and probably won't, but I just assumed (wrongly) that the adoption order would be granted quicker!

We have been matched with a 6 month old!
Final court date next week, and then matching panel on the 4th April!

Aw that’s amazing news! Congratulations! Xx

Our BM applied to contest the making of the AO so from applying at 10 weeks, it completed a year later.
Not a nice time.

@howmanyusernames

So you've not been placed with a child yet? We've had ours since August 2017, had a few delays but finally on track! Holidays were a no no with our LA, even though ours were in the UK. A weekend away wasn't allowed either.
Once we officially become their parents our first family abroad holiday will be in two years time anyway. X

We've been matched, and panel is on the 4th April.

We haven't planned anything, but just thought the AO would have been quicker than it seems it is! Another learn for us!

So you weren't even allowed a UK holiday? Can I ask how old your little one is? Was there any reason given that you couldn't go on a UK holiday?
My OH family are mostly in Wales, so that would have been somewhere we'd go. Obviously we'd ask the LA first, but good to know if might not be possible so we can manage their expectations.

@IAmMumWho I can’t believe they wouldn’t even let you holiday in the UK!! Four weeks after our DD moved in with us we went away (6 hour drive) !! That’s such a shame as it’s so restricting for you guys, you must feel like prisoners in your home town :(

@MummyBear90 and @howmanyusernames

Mine are both 3
We always holiday in Wales ourselves.
Was told no holidays until after 6 months of placement but then we had to get it approved by birth Mum CSW and SSW.

So much hassle. We are due to go away this year UK break and that has been approved x

I was told a lot of different information by different SWs as we had loads. The current one is our longest from May last year. We started all this back in 2015. And had so many SWs. It's been hard, believe me. But we've got there or getting there xx

@IAmMumWho have you adopted twins? How lovely!! Do you mind if I ask where abouts in the country you are? My DD is only 16 months. From what I understand they’re more strict with older children x

Hi @MummyBear90

Yes twins.

Not sure if I can say location but I'm in North-West of England. It's a pretty big LA with a massive coverage. X

That’s such a shame. I sent you a PM earlier if you would feel more comfortable talking privately? Xx

I'm on mobile how do I retrieve pms xx

@MummyBear90
Replied x