Any childminders here?

[Hameggnchips]

Just wondering how SS will feel about placing a child in home with a childminder? I could probably take a month off work to help with settling but not much more because of finances and I'd also lose families who need me to go to work.

I work 4 days a week and our house is very busy. My BC and another child who I take to school every day plus 2-3 toddlers during the day (I have a 7 seater car).

Also wondering how not having other children around when I'm working will impact how an AC might settle in?

Thanks.

Sorry but I think that would be a pretty definite no, a month is no time at all to settle a child in. If that month includes intros, you will have barely unpacked.

You also need to think about the impact on your existing child - their world is going to be turned upside down as well and they will need time and attention.
Most SWs will be looking for a commitment of a year adoption leave, and at matching you would be in competition with other adopters who can offer that.
Don’t understimate the impact on everyone involved of a child moving in, its a huge upheaval. You will have a frightened, confused child to deal with, plus your existing child, who you will need to focus on. You will be more tired than you know. You will be having visits from social workers, possiby other appointments.
Sorry but I really can’t see any SW supporting that.

@Ted27

Sorry but I think that would be a pretty definite no, a month is no time at all to settle a child in. If that month includes intros, you will have barely unpacked.

You also need to think about the impact on your existing child - their world is going to be turned upside down as well and they will need time and attention.
Most SWs will be looking for a commitment of a year adoption leave, and at matching you would be in competition with other adopters who can offer that.
Don’t understimate the impact on everyone involved of a child moving in, its a huge upheaval. You will have a frightened, confused child to deal with, plus your existing child, who you will need to focus on. You will be more tired than you know. You will be having visits from social workers, possiby other appointments.
Sorry but I really can’t see any SW supporting that.

I understand all that but wouldn't be able to afford to take a year off work. I'm sure most people can't?!

We applied in February last year and were told we’d only be accepted onto stage 1 if we could commit to saving £5,000 by the end of stage 2 which we did. We’re now awaiting matching panel and have managed to increase our savings to £6,000 so I can afford to take between 9 and 12 months off work.

A lot of people can, or they save up to cover it, You might also get some benefits

I’m a single adopter, I gave up a job I loved to move back into the civil service for both a higher salary and the adoption leave package. With some savings I managed 13 months off.
It took me two years to find the right job in the right place to make it work.
If you were having a birth child would you contemplate going back to work after a month, whilst looking after 5 other children ?

I’m a single adopter currently in the matching stage.

While researching and during the assessment process it was expected that I’d take 6-12 months off work to help the child settle regardless of the age. So I knew I had to make some financial adjustments and save a bit to allow this. This meant it took a little longer to start the process but I’m a point where I can now do it.
When I had a meeting with a child’s social worker, they seemed quite pleased that I’d be taking 12 months off and I think that can make a big difference as to whether they proceed with the match or not.

The social workers would be against continuing to childmind within the first 6-12 months and I doubt they would proceed to panel if you did. It would also be ideal to limit the people coming and going from your house especially in the first few weeks if not months so as help the child settle and feel secure in their new home.

Adoption leave is equal to maternity leave, so most people who are salaried probably can afford to take 9months to a year off as they get maternity pay.
Also sorry to be blunt but adoption isn't about you, its about the child. A month off isn't enough to settle them and give them the security they need. It wouldn't be in their best interests to be put in that position.

In all honesty, my feet didn’t touch the ground for at least the first six months. Two weeks of intros was absolutely knackering (it really is intense) and weekly visits from our social worker and the kids social worker (not to mention the reviews) just about tipped me over, and we kinda knew what we were getting into. For the kids, completely new home, new mum and dad, new pets, new routines, lots of change and loss...everything changed for them in a minute.

I don’t know much about it, but would you be entitled to maternity allowance (which the self employed can apply for) or the equivalent of?

Hi,

I'm afraid I agree with PPs about length of leave. I'm a single adopter and although I got adoption allowance, it took years to save up and despite going back to work full time within a year haven't recovered financially (will I ever?!). Also, being with so many other children in your home environment could be really confusing for a newly placed child, whenever adoption leave finished. I'm sure like so many things that with hard work and planning it could be made to work, but the needs of a traumatised child could be hard to meet with other children coming and going from the family home.

If you're determined to adopt and you can meet a child's needs by making changes, you will find a way with time and patience!

Good luck

Most people do take a year of leave. SWs will expect a minimum of six months. You wouldn't go back after a month with a newborn?