Skip to main content

Matching panel date confirmed

On 2nd April I posted saying my social worker was due to let me know my panel date. I'd been told probably mid to late May and chased this up a few times, but between Easter and then me spending last week with covid, it wasn't until lunchtime today (27 April) that they confirmed my Matching Panel date as 23rd June. A strange "mid to late May", but I'm happy to at least have my date.
**
Update - not 24 hours later and I've had a correction through -the date is 23rd May not June!!
***

So, what now? The next thing is actually tomorrow when I travel down to meet the foster carers and nursery workers etc to hear more about her / see her from a distance.

Next is chat with her medical practitioner on 4th May 

My social worker and hers have to write a large report that explains all about why we are suited to each other, how transitions would work and what support we'd have moving forward. I'll be asked for some inputs to that (their words: "there's lots of paperwork in your future") That needs to be completed and submitted two weeks ahead of panel (so~9th May). I should get to see drafts of this before it goes.

Matching Panel on 23rd Mau is ~8 people (don't know if virtual or IRL) who will ask questions based on having read the full report (as well the individual reports on me and her). I get kicked out for a bit and called back in to hear their yes or no recommendation.

This recommendation then goes to an 'Agency Decision Maker' to confirm within 2 weeks. (Though it took 3 weeks last year after my panel, so I'll take the timeline with a pinch of salt again). In theory though, should have definitive answer by 7th June. 

Once definite then transitions can begin. Phased introduction, spending more time with her there, trialling some time on our own together, then at my house, then phase towards full time at mine (can happen in different ways but I should know from what was put in the report as a recommendation and what the panel tells me) 

(For more on transitions, this area tends to follow the UEA model - https://proceduresonline.com/trixcms1/media/5871/march-2020-uea-moving-to-adoption-model-practice-guide-003.pdf )


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

thanks.... it's the trauma

"What a really well behaved little one ..." is a frequent comment about my little one. Sometimes this is meant in a nice way, sometimes this is means that the speaker is feeling overwhelmed/judged for the fact their little one(s) have more typical reactions to instructions at this age. Unfortunately, this is one where nothing you say can help them to feel better. The truth is 'thanks.... it's the trauma', but that's not really the sensible thing to share. What does it look like?   - Doing what she's told  - not showing when she is angry / upset openly at the time (then reacting later/looking for me to recognise it*)  - sitting and waiting quietly when others might be jumping about  - saying "I'm sorry" when something is not their fault  - ... and more (that i'll need to add to later!) *What this means is that i find my own social battery running down much quicker than i was previously used to, because i use a lot of my energy looking for ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Useful information for Friends and Family

Have had some questions around this, so thought worth sharing this  https://info.adoptmatch.com/words-matter-adoption-terminology I've tried to bring together the resources I could find for friends and family. I've put the ones i think are probably top of the list starred and in bold blue to help you work out which are probably easiest/best ones to take a look at. * How family and friends can support new adopters - stepbystep (first4adoption.org.uk)  ( 2 A4 pages - above ) * 10 Things Adoptive Parents Wish Their Friends And Family Understood | HuffPost UK Parents (huffingtonpost.co.uk)  - Short article * Before I Arrive (paperback edition) by Helen Townsend | Adoption UK Charity  - excellent small book that i ended up getting a couple of copies for to share with different friends and family.  Adoption uk factsheet 12 - supporting prospective adopters with a new placement june 2013.pdf (www.nhs.uk) Ten Tips for Supporting Your Family and Friends in Adoptive F...
Post a Comment
Read more

Direct Contact prep resources

I have mostly used online resources and remembered bits I've looked at previously, but will include other resources that I've been recommended in the below so that you can pull whatever is helpful for you!  A lot of the first ones are aimed at social workers, but still have been really useful. Not least of all, because although this is something with a lot more push than it used to have, in my case, I've found they're no more resourced and haven't necessarily had a lot of focus (training) time for this.  Online resources I've pulled from: Good practice guide - Contact-PG_E.pdf Staying Connected: the views of looked after children and young people on their contact arrangements - Coram Voice Supporting evidence-informed practice with children and families, young people and adults | Research in Practice   Contact: making good decisions for children in public law: Frontline Briefing (2024) | Research in Practice Staying in touch: Contact after adoption | Research...
Post a Comment
Read more