Prep Groups

[ChezM]

Well we had our initial home visit in April and yesterday I got a phone call to say we would be starting prep groups in October! Not sure what to expect yet as waiting for letter to arrive which I hope has some information. Any advice??

It's like the first day of school, or at least it was for me.

I enjoyed our prep groups. I have a medical background & was warned about content, but tbh, I didn't think it was that bad. But do take tissues just in case. Some of the information/ training cards given can be heavy going.

Be open.

I've met some lovely people at my prep group who are now sound adoption friends

Thank you AgathaCroosty. I'm a teacher and the SW who did the initial home visit said I would know most of what is being covered in the prep group. Im excited but nervous too. We have one twilight group then 3 full day Saturdays.

@chezm sounds like you will be able to fit them in easily.

Ours were all week days 40 miles away.

They are pretty much like any other small group training session you may have been on. Everyone introduces themselves, coffee breaks etc.
Some group work - but nothing too 'revealing'.

You may make friends, or you may just end up nodding recognition as you arrive - either is fine.

I'm glad ours are weekends as weekdays would have been difficult for us. I'm always on courses and used to 'ice breakers' and workshops. Im a bit worried how my OH will deal with it all haha.

yes, I would hate to count the number of leave days used up and of course teachers don't have that option

I am a teacher also - it was like the most horrifying safeguarding training ever done.

Ours was in a very small group and pretty much think their main aim was to scare us rather than give us anything tangible we could use or take away. We met with some adopters which was really useful, as if it hadn't been for that, I think we would have probably dropped out. All the adopters said that as hard as it was, it was the best thing they'd ever done...

Congratulations on starting the process! I agree somewhat with @Moomooboo we were excited and positive at the start, then found the training determinedly negative from the social workers running it and also some of the subjects covered insensitively (e.g. The first session making sure you had let go of the idea of having a birth child/got over infertility. Important to work through, but not in front of a group of strangers). No doubt the content itself regarding attachment/behaviour/life story work etc was very necessary/correct though. The guest speakers (adopters, psychologist) were more positive although realistic.

We met some very firm friends and have found it invaluable to have had that opportunity to meet ppl who understand our situation and match our time line.

The other thing that's good to know and we didn't realise until afterwards is the social workers running the group are assessing you throughout, they send you feedback and advise your stage 2 social worker of any issues or support they think you will need in certain areas.

Good luck!