Coronavirus and Stages 1 & 2

[Paisleyfern]

Hi thanks to all the regular posters, I’ve learnt so much reading through the previous thread.

I’m currently in stage 1 of the assessment almost in stage 2, have a panel date for the summer. Is anyone else around the same stage and have you been impacted by the current situation in terms of social worker visits, panel dates etc

We've got a provisional panel date in June. Our SW said they are happy to switch to calls or Skype for the last few home visits.

Our LA has cancelled all current information evenings, so you'd hope we'll proceed as there are so many children waiting.

I do think our panel date will be pushed back as more SWs will need to focus on vulnerable children. As much as finding kids a forever home as quickly as possible is important, all those kids are safe in foster care. Any kind of economic downturn is going to put more new children at risk, and safeguarding will always be the priority.

I'm hoping the LA can be creative with panel and run it remotely somehow.

Our panel is set for end April but not been told it'll be delayed yet 🤞
Missed our last stage 2 meeting but think we can do that via Skype or phone

In all honesty I’d expect adoption processes to be put on the back burner - certainly from the children’s social worker. At the moment CP teams are diminished - as are all workforces - their focus will be on fulfilling their statutory obligations to families on the CP register. Children in care are considered one the whole to have secure, safe care arrangements in place so aren’t going to be the focus of ever more limited resource.

The other thing to consider is that this crisis will tip families over the edge - those who were just coping and no more will feel the financial squeeze, being all together for an extended period, often in substandard accommodation etc means that parents who were managing may not now manage and need social work support and intervention. Given this, I’d continue with the process as planned but expect there to be significant delays in process.

My agency has made contact about discussing the logistics of my initial home visit/informal meeting. Most likely looking at Skype.

One of the things I have listed to ask is about how the process will be affected due to COVID-19. Not out of selfishness wanting to get the process started, but more so to have an understanding about how things will go.

These times are uncertain, and I pray we never experience this again. I'm now working from home for the foreseeable in the room I would be wanting to use for the child (I do have another spare room).