How to bump into meetings work?

[Drizzzle]

Just wondering how they work and how you explain them to your child once they have been placed with you? Thanks

They are usually about 15 minutes long in our LA. They usually take place in parks. I have only ever done them with under 2s so no explanation needed for the child but the child’s Sw goes along and acts as if they have literally ‘bumped into’ people they know. So the child is not told these people are potential adopters at that time. I’ve heard many older children work out what the situation is even though they haven’t been told.

I was allowed to see my son in his school after matching panel. I was stood at the back for half an hour with two SWs. He was nearly 8 and had absolutely no memory of us being there. I wasnt able to speak to him though so not officially a bump into meeting

That's interesting, thanks. They must be a bit tricky to organise!

We were allowed to watch our children play in a park for 5 mins after we had the first meeting with the foster carers. This was one week before matching panel. Our children didn’t really interact with us so we didn’t have to explain it to them.

We bumped into the foster carer with our AD & some of the foster carers family. It was at the height of the summer & we spent an hour or so chatting & playing with a bubble wand. It was so special as it was a few days before ADs birthday aswell.

We did the same the following week at the same venue.