Never been matched?

[runningon]

I was just wondering if anyone on here (or knows of anyone) who has been through the adoption vetting process, passed, and never been matched with a suitable child?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm hoping to go through the adoption process as a single person and I've heard it's (quite rightly) a difficult and vigorous process.

I'm wondering if it's worth putting myself through it as although I'm not after a baby - I don't mind the age as long as I feel we are a good match - I wonder if there will be more adopters than suitable children (eg I would need a child who was able to go to school as I would need to work, and I don't have local family support for childcare) and I would never be chosen as a parent?

I have read there aren't enough adopters and that the are not enough children for potential adoptees in the press this week...I wonder what the reality is?

I’m a social worker and I can tell you that practice varies hugely. I’ve heard of family finders minimising the needs of the child until the prospective adopters are “hooked” so to speak, and have also seen social workers being scrupulously honest. You will usually meet the child’s paediatrician during matching and they will generally be very up front about any diagnosis and future prognosis. If I had any advice it would be to hold any children lightly in mind until you have all the information - this is very much a head decision.

@googledontknow

just to say that 'difficult to place ' does not necessarily mean more issues or more difficult to parent. Children can be hard to place for many reasons - age, ethnicity, boys, needing to be placed out of area. My son ticked every hard to place box going but has been a bit of dream compared to some kids I know.
Whilst I've no doubt that there are some unscrupulous SWs out there, its also worth remembering that sometimes you just don't know how or if things emerge.
Personally I would take any talk of a healthy, no issues baby with a hefty pinch of salt - you really can't tell what might emerge.