Surnames, after placement, before AO (Doctors, school etc)

[topcat2014]

We begin intros in July.

School place is ready (filled in by SW using LO correct current name).

This is an out of county placement.

Do we need to do anything about surnames - ie "known as" type stuff? (School, doctors, etc)

SW haven't said anything, but vaguely recall reading things like this.

I just told the school what he was to be known as, make sure the child knows that as well

Mine was 7 as well, it was a nice age

I just registered my DC under my name, the school, GP we’re happy with rather than changing their name a few months down the line.

I've often wondered about this, as presumably there's also security implications if the child is publicly known by their birth surname at school?

Thanks. @thetom it is an out of county placement, and I won't be giving any consent for photo's etc.

Given the child is school age, I suppose I am also asking about 'taking' his current surname from him before he might feel ready.

I just added my name on the end so he didnt' lose' his name

We just tried to avoid using DC's birth surname wherever possible, and the school just labelled books etc with the first name. We didn't actually submit the formal adoption application until DC was comfortable with using our surname and had accepted it as her own. Don't underestimate the significance of the name change, especially if the child is older. I'd involve them if you feel you can.

I had a fight with my GP surgery to get her registered and known there by her new name before the order was granted. Her birth name is very unusual and I did not want it being shown to the whole surgery as we live in a small village and it's the kind of difference that would've been noticed straight away. Practice secretary backed down after she'd phoned their legal team and apologised.

Paperwork seems to be a nightmare when it comes to adoption as it took the bank 45 minutes to accept they could open an account for her using the long version of her adoption certificate once it was granted.

Hi
I had exactly the same issue as ifchocolatewerecery. I didn’t want her easily identifiable Surname appearing on the board. I ended up requesting to see their safeguarding policy at which point they apologised and said they didn’t realise rules had changed!!
So my child is registered in her Birth name (to allow the records to follow her) but has a Known As name which comes on the screen.
I’ve been told once the AO is through she will have a new NHS number completely.

Oh and Congrats and Good Luck with intros

Kids accepted their new name straight away.

School was fine with ‘known as’

GP registered them as temp patients under ‘known as’ names which lasted 3 months then reverted to birth names until AO was granted. They refused to move when I challenged it. I should have made more of a fuss but was in a new parent fog listening to everyone telling me I was wrong.

Stand your ground when it’s right for you and your family.

If it happens to you,

also had the same issue with doctors - in that they wouldn't let us use our name for him... seems to be quite common!

we didn't question, but feeling like we should have insisted now - but I didn't know to ask for their safeguarding policy.

Our doctors were fab and used our DS's new name from the get go- as did nursery, dentist etc.
Just put your foot down and register them in the name they will be.

DS knew his surname and wouldn't have accepted a change right at the start, so we used his old surname until adoption order, a year later. One of the reasons for waiting so long for adoption order was so DS was ready for new name. We were a long way from BM so no safeguarding issues.

But if the child still has their original NHS number and birthparent(s) know what it is wouldn't they be able to find out what your surname is? And where you live?

@popcornzoo I believe they get a new nhs number once the AO is complete.

Yes but if they haven't got their new NhHS number yet as the AO isn't complete? Or if they still go by their old surname but live with you it wouldn't be too difficult for the BPs to phone round local surgeries to find out, would it? Or am I missing something here? Just trying to understand how it works. Hopefully the receptionist won't give out the APs (or prospective APs) adress.

To be honest as a BP it hasn't even occurred to me... Hopefully, the receptionist would protect confidentiality.

Hopefully the receptionist won't give out the APs (or prospective APs) adress.
I would expect GPS surgeries to have a very good grasp of GDPR and would be amazed if they gave out an adopters address to a third party - my GPs surgery won’t even confirm I’m a patient there without my permission.

Ok, thanks :)

Do you have a particular concern popcornzoo?

No surgeries should be divulging personal information about any patient, adopted or otherwise, to random callers
Also children are usually not placed close to the birth family and birth parents would not know where the adopters live (unless there is a cock up of epic proportions) so they would not know where to try anyway.

No I don't Ted27, just trying to think ahead (still going through the application process) ! Thanks :)

Hope intros go well.

@Italiangreyhound - thanks - panicking a bit about them tbh!

It's all good! My best advice is.... Don't try and do too much else- let the house go to wrack and ruin!

Get lots of sleep.

Be nice to foster carer, make a good impression if you want to stay in touch!

ENJOY IT ENJOY IT ENJOY IT

And encourage kid/s to say mum or hear mum from start. If you are in a couple get your parter to refer to you as mum! Or whatever. IMHO.