Adoption Process

[alicefleur]

My DH & I have 2 DS & have just gone into the intitial stages of adopting a child. I suffer from mental health problems with mood disorder so have had to have enquiries made into that via my gp. It has gone to the Adoption Medical Panel & now the Social Work Dept are coming out at beg of year for visit. I am wondering what to expect now?

very best of luck. no experience but bumping this for you.

Thanks for your good wishes choosyfloosy x

Kewcumber is good for advice and info on adoption. Hopefully she'll see this soon.

bump

alice - Are you deciding whether or not they are going to asses you? Are you sure it wasnt a report to the panel medical advisor, and not a meeting of the panel?

Have they notified you of their decision? Do you have a copy of the report that your gp submitted? If not you can ask at the surgery for one.

don't know so much about this situation but I think with all knwon pre-existing conditions they get teh medical done early and have a chance the discuss the results with teh medical advisor before you go too far down the road of the home study. I would imagine your GP would become a very improtant (from your perpective) person at this point. It will tend to sway the panel if you GO is supportive, how well they think you cope with your existing DC's and how involved your partner is. They may decide that your GP's opinion is enough, they may decide to ask for a specialist opinion.

Is your GP supportive of your adoption?

As far as i understand the sw was having a med report done first b4 going ahead with assessment process to make sure the mental health condition was not going to become an issue half way down the process. They wrote to my GP for a report then my Consultant. I spoke with my consultant who is very supportive of us adopting as he advises strongly for us to avoid further pregnancies. As far as i know the MedicalPanel met to discuss it so not sure if they are doing a home visit just to give as the result of that?

I know that with pre-existing conditions, this is generally the approach taken. Your consultant being supportive should help. If there is a problem, it is possible to appeal. WHen are they coming to see you?

the fact that he doesn;t think you should have any further pregnancies is irrelevant the panel will only concern themselves with whether you would make an adequate paretn and what is in the best interest of a child being placed. They won't may any regard to what is in your best interest.

Thanks. They are coming out on the 9th Jan. At least i know now it is general practice to do this with pre existing conditions & they are not for some reason treating my case any differently, that makes me feel more positive. The consultant was very positive about the fact my illness has never afffected my ability to take care of my children so maybe that may go in some sort of favour?

you are right alice, its all about your ability to care for a [special needs] child, now and in the future. they will be very concerned about the extreme stress that will be placed on you as an adoptive parent, and whether or not you would be able to cope, given your medical condition.

Do you have a copy of the report from your consultant? You can ask him for this.

I expect you know that prospective adopters have been turned down because of a history of depressive illness . If you DO get approved for adoption, you will probably face a very long wait for a child, as placing social workers will be informed of your medical condition