Matching panel

[wonderinglill]

Hi,

I haven't posted on here for a while. We have matching panel this coming week and looking for some information on what to expect. What questions are asked etc. We've read the PAR for panel and nothing is focused on heavily so kinda hard to narrow down what could be discussed.

Thanks 🤗

Why this child and how can you meet their needs are the standard questions
Usually the SW will tell you what questions they have before you go in so you have a bit of thinking time
Good Luck !

Is it matching panel or approval? Didn't think you had a PAR for matching panel,( but I haven't got that far yet.)

@Drizzzle your PAR is what is used by everyone to get to know you and is read by everyone involved in matching.

@wonderinglill we're any issues raised during your approval process or further information requested once the link was agreed? What questions were raised at your approval panel? We were lucky in this respect, obvious questions included the fact that I was on anti anxiety medication, that I'd decided to change my job at the start of our journey and how would we maintain our LO's cultural identity. The last one was really easy as I pointed out that hubby might not speak the language but he strongly identifies as being the same nationality as her.

@Ted27 thank you. SW hasn't discussed anything. Only seen her once in last 2 months so hopefully we will get to catch up before we go into panel.

@Drizzzle as said above there is paperwork that has to be completed before matching panel to take to panel, I don't know the correct name 🙈 it is alot like a PAR but mainly about the child.

@ifchocolatewerecelery no there was absolutely nothing. All very positive feedback on approval panel. I suppose they will discuss why we have gone for 1 child instead of siblings that we were approved for. LO is textbook so nothing really that we can hammer home that she is perfect for us apart from emotional connection as the process has gone on. We haven't meet LO either. She looks like DH, we sound silly when we say it so don't know whether to mention that 😜. I think I'm gonna re read the report... AGAIN 🙈 and maybe note somethings from there on why SWs think the match was great. Thanks got the advice xxx

@wonderinglill
sorry I wasnt clear, the SWs usually go in first without you, then come out and tell you any questions, so you get a few minutes to think, not much but at least its better than it just being sprung on you

Thanks for clarifying. I just thought it was used for approval panel, but of course it makes sense to use it in the matching process! God Luck Wanderinglill :)

We were asked how we would support identity needs (much unknown about birth family so this was significant), how we would promote her cultural identity, how we would support health issues, what future issues we were aware she might have and how would we support these (this is a common panel question due to drug/alcohol use), and how we planned to deal with returning to work. We were also asked about a previous failed match which was specific to us but they may ask you about your journey to adoption and to this particular child. I think it would not do harm to say you liked/felt a bond with how LO looked. We said we fell for a picture of our DD as she was pulling a silly face which panel liked. We found the panel used a lot of the time to ask the social workers involved questions rather than us and checking that things were going to be done (e.g. chasing results from a medical test, trying to make contact with birth family re a meeting and letterbox etc).

Good luck!!

Thanks for all the replies. We had panel today and a unanimous YES. We're thrilled ❤️

Amazing news! Congratulations