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We had an almost identical pattern with the process up to matching panel also in Scotlamd, with excellent LA processing and support. ( placement story different but not fault of county) But we did have previous contact ( before moving about 30 miles) with a different LA who were only interesnted in fosterers at the time but also in Scotland. I feel a sense of frustation that i cant actually name the good county for security reasons in our personal circumstances. I do think though that this forum needs turned round. It is useless to others if they don't know which La's and VA's folks are saying they had a good experience with. But equally most people won't want or be able to say which authority or agency they used, for privacy or security If there was a way of listing our recommendations without our names attached we would be able to name the LA's and VA's that we have had good expueriences with. I know we are all using nicknames but some people have posted a lot in the past and have very identifiable stories known to regular posters. If they also reavealed their LA for instance it could make them very vulnerable and recognisable locally. I know that anonymous postings might cause some to post negative stuff which might place AUK in a difficult situation, so it would need filtered by an admin to avoid that.

Could it be done as an electronic survey, which could be completed anonymously, to all AUK members and then the results published here?

Hi. I have to agree that my LA experience was very positive. Professional, supportive and well organised. I know LAs get a bad name, and I am sure that some are terrible, but except for terrible spelling and typing errors I really have nothing negative to say. But what I would differ with from the first post, in that the LA experience was good because the child had no known issues or drug or alcohol exposure. The type of children available should not be used to judge any agency, VA or LA. Whose to say a child with alcohol or drug exposure or known issues is any less valued? G

I'm afraid I'm a bit of a cynic when it comes to the non use of drugs and/or alcohol during pregnancy! Particularly if they're known users at other times. Apparently the birth mothers of mine didn't use either ...... Hmmmmm.

100% agree. What BM admits too on paper and reality are two different things. And SW have to go on declared detail. My LO supposedly had no exposure to alcohol, hmmm....

I never meant to imply that children whose BM have used drugs or alcohol are any less valued, we will never know for sure and had agreed that we wouldn't let known use put us off considering children. I was merely stating the course of events in our situation. I know that VAs are often (rightly or wrongly) associated with harder to adopt children. Interestingly our first enquiries, quite a few years back to 2 different VAs drew a blank. Both said they wouldn't consider us as we lived in a rural area too far from the city and it would cost them too much to send social worker to us for home visits!