Adoption help please

[beanie44]

Hi all, excited to say that we have matching panel in mid August and if successful will start introductions 2 weeks later. Just a bit worried about adoption leave as we won't get matching cert until 10 days after panel - I'm not complaining about moving quickly but wondered what others have done - did you have to use leave or can I notify now and give matching certificate later?

You tell work informally after matching panel.
Then you tell them officially once the ADM confirms and you get the certificate.
You can start intros the next day.

Yep, my HR dept were very flexible and I had my work all tied up and ready to leave by the time matching panel came. You should be fine giving a provisional date to start your leave, giving final confirmation once you know definite dates and have your matching certificate. Good luck

Congratulations!

I got my matching certificate through the day before I started leave but also had 1 week of paid leave for 'adoption appointments' (which you are entitled to in the same way as anti-natal appointments) but I had not used in the adoptive process and a week of holiday. That covered the two weeks of introductions we had and my matching certificate was dated for the date that the children were placed with us (and FC's left). My HR dept were really helpful, it's just really important that your payroll dept has the matching certificate in time to process adoptive leave.