Calling Miss Marple.....


  Isn't it funny how things like....



.........oh I don't know....

.

........just off the top of my head......


........a reference that apparently never arrived when it was posted in November, has suddenly "been received" today on 10th January.....

I think this is a case for Mrs Marple!

On the plus side, now that the "missing" reference has been "received" our Social Worker can now hand our PAR in to be read by the Manager (which only takes 2 weeks) and then she has 2 weeks to make any amendments....and then.....we might have another panel date.

I should run a competition really to guess when that panel date might actually take place.

What do you all think? February or March?.....hopefully not as far ahead as April!

I highlighted to our LA today that it's taken us 14 months to get to this point since our initial home assessment took place in November 2011.  We were promised an 8 month process as second timers. They are going off to review our file.

*shakes head in exasperation*

















Comments

  1. I just can't believe it's been so long. And I can't believe they seemingly think it's acceptable. I really hope they come back to you soon with that elusive panel date and you can look forward to the next bit x

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    1. Oh I hope so too Vicki. Do they really think I believe the things they tell me? Lol

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    1. Well said! Couldn't have put it better myself lol

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  3. I am so sickened by what has happened here. I can;t help thinking about some poor child who could have come home to you last simmer.

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    1. There are no words. Welcome to the realities of the adoption system! *shakes head*

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  4. Hope it's all plain sailing from here :(

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    1. That all seems to depend on how the tides are flowing lol

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    2. I've certainly gathered the impression that LA admin can be very hit and miss. I think at this stage I'll start approaching adoption agencies rather than trying via LA. I guess they're quite divided; trying to fight fire on the child protection front as well as keep up with all the adoptions in progress. Must be a tough job to manage all that.

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    3. Yes I totally agree about the pressure that LAs are under. I've always tried to keep that in mind when writing this blog. I have a background of working within Childrens Services myself and have also counselled many Social Workers so I am very sympathetic to the pressures that they are working under. I have written to David Cameron to highlight that adding pressure to an already stressed system will not make the process any easier without additional funding to employ more Social Workers. What I do not feel happy about is not being told the truth though. For a reference to suddenly "be received" on the day that I have a moan about the length of time being taken with our process. I would much rather then have said "do you know what? We found your reference. It had been caught behind something else with a paperclip" or some such truth. People are fallible. This is our personal information being misplaced though. We had an issue with our last adoption when information was shared inappropriately with all our referees and, again, that was due to staff pressures and a temp being used to send out papers for reference requests. If they take this lack of care with our information, I query how we can trust the information we are given about the children being placed with us and the records being kept on those children. This concerns me. I feel that the service is totally under-funded and under-staffed and, with the current proposals to reform the system, I worry that Social Workers will be put under additional pressures without the resources and back-up to enable them to do their jobs efficiently and safely. I'd be very interested to know which LA you are using (if you want to email me at threebecomefour@gmail.com). No pressure to do that though. I'm just curious. Best wishes x

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  5. This really doesn't inspire hope for anyone who is starting the process...

    Fingers crossed that it is an earlier date and you'll get that someone special soon

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    1. Hi there!! Thanks for posting.

      It doesn't inspire hope does it? Which saddens me because the one thing that I've always tried to do on this blog is be a positive voice for adoption. I am very positive about adoption. We are just falling victims to an under-funded system at the moment and it's no reflection on the dedication of the Social Workers involved in the system. I am concerned that if the system is failing us, what about all those children in the care system in need of new families? I don't want to be negative but I promised myself I would always be honest here and log our journey as accurately as possible. We are parents to the most beautiful and amazing young lady already through adoption. We feel so positive about that journey that we want to add to our family. All this isn't stopping us but it does get a little wearisome at times. I would encourage anyone interested in adoption to find out more and not be put off, but I would say that people need to be realistic about how long it can take to get through the system. It is the way it is sadly. But it is worth it in the end and I have great belief that there is a bigger picture and the child who is meant to be with us will join us when the time is right. It's just my human heart that is impatient and my human brain that is frustrated with some of the issues and hurdles along the way.

      I'm sure in the future, this will all be a distant memory and it won't matter. That's partly why, although I blog about it here, I don't let it get me down. I don't get angry but I do highlight issues to our LA and I won't sit back and say nothing because I can hopefully help other adopters by speaking out.

      Are you thinking about the adoption process or already in it? x

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    2. We are at the very initial stages. We've had two initial home visits, and have sort of decided on our LA to take us on however given that it's been a month and we have heard nothing it is actually making us both rethink this idea. All we can do is keep badgering them to let us know what is going on.

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  6. the timescales are awful... our local authority has decided that we cant go any further ie onto our prep course until we have had some counselling due to issues with 'controlling mothers' on both sides. the counselling is only one day a month!! we have had some so far but as the prep courses are only 3 times a year at the moment and with having full 6 sessions it is a long and frustrating wait. we may not get onto the prep course until june/july if not we may have to wait until nov/dec!! it must be so frustrating for you i hope you get your panel date soon. liz and shaun

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  7. Grrr! That is so annoying! I'm not an adopter, but I come across adoption through my work. Our council promises eight months for all adopters, first or second time. I'm told they usually meet this. That seems like a reasonable time. Anything longer is very annoying, especially as you've done it before. Hope they speed up a bit.
    Found you on Mummy's Little Monkey BTW.

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    1. Hiya Sarah and welcome!! That's great that your LA delivers on their 8 month promise. I think the cuts are really hitting our LA. I do think it's ridiculous that it's taking us so long as second timers though. Will pop over and say hi on your blog x

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  8. Good luck on your endeavors. We lived in England for 8 years and thought the red tape was ridiculous to adopt a pet so the red tape to adopt a child seems like it would be almost unbearable. So sorry that it is taking so long - all the while a child is in need of a loving home. Found you through Bloggy Moms.

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    1. All I can say is that we are very ummm thorough in this country!! LOL Hopefully it won't take too much longer to get our date. Have popped over to your blog to say hi!!

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  9. I have nominated you for the Leibster Award.

    http://myweebubba.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/leibster-award.html xxx

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