adoption

**pinky33** · 22-02-2013, 05:02 PM

Has anyone got any experience of adopting and childminding?

myself and dp have just started the process and initial telephone conversation with a social worker indicated that us both being Childminders will need a lot of thinking about.
Any thoughts appreciated x

**lizduncan72** · 22-02-2013, 05:18 PM

We're going through the process too. Our social worker was quite happy about me being a childminder-means I am at home to be with our adopted child without the worry of having to arrange time off work ( they like one parent to take at least 6 months off to settle child into family ) also I already have playgroups and things that I go to so will socialise our little one. She took a copy of my last inspection report to add to our file too. I'm in Scotland though so things may be different. Good luck with your application-it's not an easy (or quick!) process but hopefully worth it in the end

We're just waiting for our panel date to agree to us having our little one move in and will hopefully have her by Easter. x

**nipper** · 22-02-2013, 05:21 PM

No experience but just wanted to wish you both luck. It's great that you can offer a little one some love and security

**Tazmin68** · 22-02-2013, 05:31 PM

No experience of both but we did go through adoption process in 2002

toddlers896 · 22-02-2013, 06:20 PM

My husband and I went through the process of fostering with a view to adoption. We would never ever do it again. We didnt get as far as being approved
as we pulled out. We didnt like the way we were treated.. I can understand why they are desperate for carers!! Just be prepared for 1001 questions.
Good luck

**vikkit** · 22-02-2013, 06:57 PM

Can I ask what made you decide to adopt? I've always thought the idea was great and gives a child with little opportunity a new start but it's a big decision.....
Good luck to you both, what a lovely thing to do

**sarah707** · 22-02-2013, 07:01 PM

A member on here did get quite close to adopting a year or so ago - until they said that the childminder of the couple would have to stop working for I think if I remember it was a year. They pulled out at that point and have never pursued it.

It's such a pity - the couple would have been absolutely perfect.

I hope it works out for you pinky - it's so amazing that you are prepared to give a child a chance at a normal loved life xx

**tori4** · 22-02-2013, 07:02 PM

DH and I have considered n started the process but having our own young children n childminding seemed to put them off !! Dnot get it I was at home, had experience and family environment but they didn't think it wod work ??? Although never explained why??

Best of luck with it I hope ur area is more supportive.

XT

**wendywu** · 22-02-2013, 09:52 PM

A friend of mine has been approved for over a year but is having trouble getting a child.

Social worker not getting back to them, child they wanted wrong shade of colour, child out of the county, childs social worker not getting back to them. You name it they have had barrier upon barrier heaped upon them.

So once you do get approved you must be willing to wait. Such a shame all these poor children wanting homes and parents that are approved and yet it is still not happening. Surrey has one of the lowest adoption rates in the country. Sad

No more than sad its a crime

**WibbleWobble** · 22-02-2013, 09:57 PM

no experience of adopting whilst childminding but do have experience of the adopting process.

good luck

wibble x

**FussyElmo** · 23-02-2013, 06:46 AM

Several friends have adopted and they do like one parent to be at home not working for the first year.

I think the children and families bill is trying to make adoption easier

**Tazmin68** · 23-02-2013, 11:56 AM

Good luck. It took over 18 months to get approved with regards to adoption and another 12 months of us looking at details of children looking for families. We were about to meet an 18 month old who had a liver transplant when we found out I was pregnant so went no further. Out of 12 couples who were approved to adopt on the training course we had to attend only one couple that we kept in touch ( we kept in touch with 7) actually adopted a child who was 6 with a lot of issues health and other needs. There was a magazine of sorts I think it was called something like find a family. A photo of a child and a paragraph about the child. Could be upsetting when reading it.

**jillplum** · 23-02-2013, 05:27 PM

If you cant adopt when childminding could you foster instead? Not sure how it works sorry.

**Tazmin68** · 23-02-2013, 05:49 PM

My la will give ok to adopt but not foster. That is their rule. Not sure why the difference but I know like others they like one oarent to be at home for child to settle in preferably one on one for 6 months ie no mindees about which is why if you were an employee you have the same rights to maternity leave we even found a medical insurance that paid out the maternity benefit on adoption as well.

**pinkbutterfly** · 23-02-2013, 08:58 PM

Both me and DH childmind we considered fostering last year. We were turned down because we are childminders with very busy household (3 kids of our own). Admittedly fostering is not quite the same as adopting so you may be lucky and I hope you are.

**pinky33** · 24-02-2013, 03:28 PM

Thanks for all the reply,after initial chat with with a social worker they don't seem to think us both being Childminders would be to much of an issue as long as we can demonstrate how we would meet the needs of the child..
Were have decided to adopt as were a same sex couple and feel we want to equal parent,not have one being a birth mother and the other not. Also I'm adopted myself which has been a fantastic experience and one we would like to be able to pay forward so to speak.