Step parent adoption - anyone been through it?

[marxkate]

We're currently in the process of step parent adoption (me as sm to my dss age 13). We have had an initial meeting with ss and they have told us to submit the application to the court. We've done this and they gave ss 12 weeks to do the assessment. This 12 weeks runs out on 12th November. They haven't even been In touch! Nearly half their time is up. Seems strange. Does anyone have any experience of this?
Thank you! X

No experience but we are about to go through the process ourselves. We contacted SS and they have said there's a long wait for the initial assessment. We'll get an appointment for early in the new year, DH and I have to go to their office for an initial meeting and then there will be a further 4 assessments. They will also speak to DS and DDs school, GP, and family members.

It seems bizarre that you've only has 1 meeting so far, I'd be fairly concerned tbh.

I don't mean concerned in that it won't happen, I just mean concerned that they seem to be leaving it so last minute!

No, but I am an adopted step daughter. I'm so glad my father adopted me. He's the best. I think its lovely that you are doing it. It really cemented my sense of family.

Thanks guys :) Had our first visit of the process today, next one n Monday. Probably 2 or 3 more after that then form complete! Fingers crossed all goes well!

Where is the birth mother?

She lives about 10 miles from us but wants no further contact. They haven't seen each other in almost 2 years

She has given full consent

In this case no news is probably good news. As you have the birth mum’s full consent and if they have no other concerns it should be relatively straight forward.