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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.
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Update - not 24 hours later and I've had a correction through -the date is 23rd May not June!!
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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 )


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