Home Visit Qs for SW

[teekay88]

Hi all

I have my first home visit to start the process today. Nervous would be an understatement!

The social worker has asked us to think about any Qs we might have. I think my anxiety is stopping me think clearly about what would be valuable to ask.

Any advice?

Thanks as always xx

[Heff4lump]

Hi teekay,
How exciting 🤣 I remember not sleeping the night before our first initial visit. We had loads of questions that we spent hours thinking up but on the actual visit the social worker gave us so much information and asked so many questions that we completely forgot what questions we wanted to ask 😂 don't worry about it. You will have time to ask all the questions you want to on the prep course. Hope all goes well for you today x

[teekay88]

Haha that's so funny I can imagine that'll happen with me too the same as the job interview effect where my mind goes blank if I have any Questions! Eugh it's been difficult to concentrate at work this morning not least because my manager asked if everything was ok as I've had to be fairly cryptic about why i need a half day at such short notice so god knows what she thinks! She was asking in a caring way but was going I'd get through the morning with no one asking me why I'm off! Just got anxiety the social worker will think we're not suitable. I know it's irrational really but can't help my mind going there. Not helped by fact she is bringing a student with her to shadow which no doubt means they'll.be discussing us on the drive back hahaha x

[excitedmuchly]

It's exciting isn't It!!

My home visit was last Tuesday. I had a list of questions which were all answered when I went to the information session so didn't really have much to ask at my home visit...but in case it helps my questions were....
*about the training...what / when etc.
*the children currently waiting .
*timescales and if there was anything which could hold up the process.
*references and who would be better to put down.
*the support after adoption.
*local support groups.
*What happens at panel.


I found the home visit really relaxed and informal... she spent about 1 1/2 hrs talking and asking questions.. . Had a quick look around and then left.

I start my training next week!!!

Good luck!! X

[Heff4lump]

How did it go?? X

[teekay88]

Thanks all for your help, much appreciated. I'm going to do an update thread when I get a chance as I realise there are a few new adopters here like me who might appreciate knowing the sorts of Qs that came up. But for now suffice to say it was v intense and did feel a little bit of a grilling at times - it was also hard to read how the SW feels about us - but we should hear a decision soon. I'm glad it's over tbh!! Felt inexplicably exhausted afterward. For once in my life there was actually more Qs than I had anticipated asked of us so I'm glad I went into it with a little anxiety as if I'd have been too laid back I don't think I would have put thought into some of the Qs they sprung on us ahead of time! Will update soon as I can for anyone else who might find it useful! xx

[Adopterdad]

We had our first appointment last year at end of May and it is nerve wracking (the whole process is) but having started introductions with our beautiful 2 year daughter yesterday I promise it's worth it. Best advice is let your social worker guide you. Its never like question after question it's more a conversation and the SW always answers stuff before u have chance to ask

[SleepIsForLosers]

Hi, did you do an update thread after your initial visit at all? I’d be interested to hear about your experience as we’re currently making initial enquiries and gathering information

[teekay88]

Hi all, sorry that I didn't update at the time, it was a bit of an emotional time as was a bit of a rollercoaster but have now come through so will post a seperate thread in case it helps anybody else x