What volunteering did you do?

[Fallulah]

We started looking into adoption a while ago but in the interim had a very unexpected pregnancy (after years of trying) and a recent loss. I know we won’t be able to do anything for six months as that is our local timeframe after miscarriage so I am thinking what we can do to get things in order in the meantime.

I am a secondary school teacher and also volunteer with that age group. My partner has a grown up child (very early 20s). Our preference is early permanence/foster to adopt. We are going to be told we need experience with much younger children aren’t we?

We are older so none of our friends or families have babies/toddlers we can ‘borrow’. My partner also works in a job where he works most weekends and has a day off in the week.

What volunteering did you do/would you recommend?

@Fallulah

Sorry about your loss.
Not all agencies are the same about the volunteering. If you know which agency you are going with Id give them a call, explain your situation and ask what their policy on volunteering is.
Many people do rainbows/brownies/cubs etc
Mine was a bit unusual- I worked in the grounds of a school, there was an old neglected garden at the back of the car park. So I started a garden club with the school.

I volunteered at my local children's centre's stay and play, and they were really welcoming. It was on a weekday so I used annual leave, which was a bit annoying but felt like a worthwhile experience in many ways.

I was working part time.
I did one morning a week at a pre-school, and one afternoon a week at a primary after school club.
I don't think we would have been placed without this and it was fun and I learned a lot about activities for those ages and how to talk to random kids.

I adopted so long ago (24 years), we weren't asked to do any volunteering!

Anyway, they may prefer you to have experience of children with additional needs. You could look into respite care for disabled children for example.

No, I’m adopted (1980s) and my parents certainly didn’t have to do any either. They went to visit me in my foster home one day and took me home as a 10 week old baby the next!

Thank you everyone. I have an enhanced DBS for teaching and one for Guiding. My partner only has a normal one for his work as it involves finance. Would it be a good idea for us both to get a new enhanced DBS? I’ve heard you can get transferable ones or something now?

The agency should do the relevant checks so if hold off getting your own just now. I adopted 8 years ago and we weren’t asked to do any volunteering - it seems to be more of a thing in England than in Scotland. I’d second speaking to the adoption agency just now, explore exactly what they’re wanting any volunteering to evidence. I don’t think anything prepares you for the reality of bringing a child home, at any age, or for parenting that child do I’m pretty cynical about the purpose of asking people to volunteer ahead of adoption. So ask what it is they need you to show and assess for yourself whether the volunteering options open to you would give you what they’re looking for.