Eco map/support network - help!

[Rwoolley]

So have finally got our homework through last night and already completed most of it, but we are currently stuck on who to include for our eco map/support network. Do the social workers want to speak to everyone you mention on this or is it not that kind of exercise?

No they don't want to speak to everyone on it. We started with subcategories of my family, DH's family, my friends, his friends, joint friends, church, and then spurs off each of these for individual people. Under each person we then wrote how far away they lived from us and what kind of support we got from them (emotional support, practical help/advice, financial help/advice, childcare, friendship etc)

I've just dug mine out. We put our closest friends and family in a circle around us (those that would offer practical and emotional support). We then put loads of other people (colleagues who we may speak to about things, old friends that may be able to offer emotional support) in the corner of the page (sounds horrible, but it's not meant to), just to demonstrate parts of our network that may be able to offer emotional support but from a distance, or neighbours that may be able to offer practical help in an emergency.

No they won't want to speak to everyone. Ours asked us to invite all of our closest family and friends round to ours for a session, I think there were about 15 people in the house. Social Worker talked to them about the process, talked about trauma and attachment, asked if they had any questions etc. I put on some nibbles and after the social worker had left some of us went out for dinner so it was quite a nice get together.

Just to add, the only people they talked to in-depth were our referees (at another time).

Thank you everyone, just got in a bit of a panic thinking if they want to speak to all our neighbours

I was approved a year ago. They just met up with my 3 referees. If they had wanted to meet all my support network it would have been a nightmare to organise and arrange. I have such a large family and friends from work , past etc. Hope that helps.

My DH and I are adopted parents and now currently undergoing an assessment for fostering. We have just completed our eco map. I then got our original out to compare! The two documents now bare very little resemblance to each other.

Some people panic over this and think we don’t have a big support network. We didn’t either first time round - our SW described it as small but strong ( a few very key family members and some friends). It was fine but fast forward five years my map is now large with more friends as strong links than family. We also have organisations like adoption UK (we attend their support groups and events) and a local tots group. Many of our friends are adopters and foster carers and get us and our family. We reach to them far quicker than our family!

Just sharing to reassure you that the network does not have to be massive but be able to demonstrate you have people to draw on if necessary. It’s ok to point out how you envisage this changing once you actually have an adopted child.

Re the eco map my understanding is they wouldn't talk to all of these ppl. As others have said who you choose as references (which they will speak to) is a slightly different thing. So your references should prob be on your eco map bit it should also include other ppl. We were asked to think of a mix of ppl in our closer circle who would provide a range of things - emotional and practical support. So maybe think about some things like who could you rely on to babysit in an emergency? Which friends and family do you tend to lean on for a shoulder to cry on or a pep talk? Are there any people on your circle who have children adopted or otherwise who you can rely on for parenting support? Who would understand some of the pressure of having a child? How about any people in your life with specialisms? So friends who happen to have an occupation which may mean they can support you? For example o had a couple close friends who were social workers and teachers who have been helpful in relation to understanding additional needs and behavioural challenges.