How normal is this?

5 replies

Babipotjam · 02/10/2018 17:31

Am doing some research into adoption. It’s something my husband and I want to really consider and have been looking at open days in our area.

Now the LA in the next county but have a good ofsted inspection had something that said that if you are approved to adopt that after 6 months if there is no match then they will only review annually and after 2 years you will be seen to see if you still should be an approved adopter?

OP posts:

topcat2014 · 03/10/2018 07:05

Usually, once you are approved, the LA (if they did your training) want 3 months first dibs on matching, after which you can make approaches out of your area for matching - using resources that become available once you are approved.

Getting to approval often takes more than 6 months, but it is good there is a target to try and keep things moving.

Kr1stina · 03/10/2018 08:48

Yes that’s normal. You will be reviewed two years after approval ( if no child placed ) to check that your circumstances haven’t changed and to update your paperwork .

Does that part of the process particularly worry you ?

UnderTheNameOfSanders · 03/10/2018 18:31

In case you are misunderstanding, this 'review' is a sit down between you and your SW to say 'how is it going, do we need to widen / change criteria, are you still wanting to adopt' etc.

They will be considering all approved adopters (and possibly some nearing approval) for every child that comes along needing adoption. They won't only look at you at your review points, if that is what was worrying you.

Original poster

Babipotjam · 03/10/2018 18:49

I’m not sure what worries me really. The way I read it was far more formal than everyone has described.

Thanks all!

OP posts:

UnderTheNameOfSanders · 03/10/2018 18:59

There are 3 very formal steps.

Approval panel - which is when you get approved as potential adopters
Matching Panel - which is when you get approved as potential parents for a specific child/children and is the 'go ahead' for you to meet them and start introductions/moving in
Court - the legalisation of you as parents

Those are the formal things you (don't) need to worry about.

The scariest day of the whole process was meeting our new daughters. (What if they didn't like us? etc)

Flip