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I think the safest way would be for you to name the VA's and LA's you are thinking of, and anyone with actual experience could PM you?As you say, the anonymity of it is the problem, but the agencies cover a large area, so it only pinpoints the county and we all have anonymous names anyway.Be good to hear others opinions on this idea before you actually post though!

I would agree just name the agency or LA you are talking about, this is a discussion forum after all, I don't think we need to get too hung up about expressing genuine opinion based on our own experience. I am sure people will give measured and considered views and you can then make your own mind up..

That's a great idea. We are currently trying to decide if we should go with Action for Children. We had an initial interview, they were great, they specialise in BME adopters (we are a mixed race couple) and they have a prep course starting at the end of September which we can start on. Plus the social worker has been really responsive. The other agency we are interested in is Coram. They have an information evening in September we can attend. However, they will not meet with us until we have moved into our new flat. AFC is happy for us to do the initial forms and prep group and then the homestudy can be done when we move (which should be at the end of September anyway). I don't think Coram have been nearly as responsive but I did gel better with that social worker in our fairly brief phone call (not that I didn't like the AFC social worker, she was lovely too). We are ready to start and want to start, but should we be checking out the other agency more thoroughly? Any views most welcome.

I have no experience of the agencies you have named but our experience taught us two things. First - Really important you get on, or at least can rub along ok, with the social worker as this person is going to be in your life for a long time and get to know you in a very up close and personal way. In terms of VA versus LA for us there was no contest we wanted to adopt out of area and we wanted the life long commitment of supporting our potential children that this VA offered and demonstrated by introducing us to adopters that had adopted over 10 years ago and were still getting support when needed.

Thanks, Mudlark. Exactly why we wanted to go for a VA: the long term support. We did like the SW we met and what I like is that they seem keen on us. When everything feels like it is going to be so hard and such a battle it is nice to feel...wanted, I guess. I just don't know whether I should go with them because all of the signs have been good so far and they are ready for us or should I spend more time on other agencies. I would quite like to wave a wand and be given the right answer!

I think go with your gut i think you can pretty much find somone who has had a postive and negative experince with every VA and LA Though saying that i think most agree VA tend to be a bit more realistic about how people live and familys function

Fishwife is right, I had a pretty horrendous experience with my LA, but presumably everyone else on my prep group who adopted with them thinks they are OKI was approved by Action for Children, on the whole it was a very positive experience and they found me my beautiful son

Absolutely go with your gut! We just went with the person who was most helpful and understood our worries. The people you speak to when you first call are their ambassadors and therefore should give you a good impression of how they are going to be. In my opinion, the LAs are better to go with as they are the ones dealing with the children. They get to know you and know the children and then can match you better than any other agency.Best of luck!

Opinion is divided on this one! Personally, I would always go with a VA. It's not necessarily true that LAs know their children that well. From our experience with a VA you know you've got someone on your side when dealing with LAs in linking and post adoption.We got to know how 2 LAs operated in our journey and can't say I was impressed by either.Even the government is considering taking LAs our of the adopters recruitment and preparation process and giving more money to VAs to help them expand.

It's also worth finding out about the financial arrangements, as this has changed recently I can't remember the new rules, but previously LAs preferred to place easier placements within their own LA or neighbouring LA as this was cheaper than VA. You can go with any LA that will take you and so it might be worth contacting LAs that are more likely to have more children with a similar background to you. 3/6 months after approval you can go on the national register whether or not you go with LA/VA. I have heard good reports of Coram for after support in the Midlands, but no experience of AFC.

Hi - Coram are a huge agency and certainly in my area are being brought into failing LA's where they have had bad Ofsted reports. I've seen for myself how Coram can turn things around in 2 LA's so I know they are good and they work very closely with AUK (and the government I think). I also have a friend who adopted twin girls from Action for Children who were also very good. Its really important to get this right - we didn't shop around and just applied straight to our LA, who are notoriously bad, but we didn't know that at the time, so we are kicking ourselves. Good luck with it.

As has been said, there will be views both ways. We have been extremely happy with our LA (which was not our local one). So much is down of course to the individual social workers that you deal with. It would seem clear that all children must go through the LA first and only get to be known by the VA once they can't be placed in house but there are so many variables. The actual social worker you can allocated is everything I would say and you can have some or no say in this depending on the LA.

I think if you went with coram of AFC you will be fine in genral most people only have good to say about both the think i wouD say is that AFC only deal with BME children and really know there stuff so they may just have the edge

A lot of it depends how you 'click' with a SW.1st applied with a local LA - not good approach, didnt care, too busy, didnt get on with SW from day 1....so not suprising werent helpful!Then enquired with a 2nd local one....very small but friendly, great ethos - but far too many cases to deal with so I dont expect we would have had a smoothe process with them....they suggested we waited and in hindsight they were right Current LA - cant speak highly enough of them! We 'clicked' with different SW's and they in turn have been helpful, on time, gone out of way to keep us informed etc....but think thats also been in part due to our approach and expectations - for example there was a delay at start which I think others would have got 'humpy' about...but we took in our stride, went with the flow....and tbh, this did us more good in the long run.I'd suggest also looking at the ratio of children in care to SW's within that area....can have excellent SW, but poor support for them & too many cases per SW...as they are family finders, assessors, working at different care stages etc...Gut usually good.....but look at what's practical for you also..i.e. SW who can visit evenings if you have difficulty with day appointments.Everyone has different experiences and whats good for me, may not be for you....so 'feel' which one is right for you...this is your first leap of faith !!!

Hiya,We went through Families That last. We have been very impressed. Fast, efficient, good matching.Also really good support when things get tough.Good Luck

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts on this.It looks like we are going to go for one of the LAs because they have a lot of young children and not many adopters. They have been very efficient, open and helpful so far.I do like Coram but after three months with our LA we would get access to all the children they have access to, plus they are a bit concerned by my medical history; the LA are not.My only worry is that aftercare is guaranteed with Coram but always depends on funding with the LA (thoiuh currently exists).