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Hello,

In terms of references we adopted as a couple through our local LA and we were asked to provide six references between us. They then went on to interview at least three (although my memory is a little hazy on how many they did in the end - it was a mixture of telephone follow ups with referees and face to face meetings).

In terms of the level of childcare experience needed, I recall that I have seen on forums before that it can vary through different agencies and even maybe between SW. For us, for about 4 years prior to starting the adoption process I volunteered reasonably regularly at a Sunday club attached to a local church (with children up to about 8 years of age). I never really worked out the number of hours that would be, neither did the SW ask, but I guess it would have added up to a fair few over the years. We also babysat nieces and nephews/children's friends and had them stay over for the weekend etc. That all seemed to be enough to satisfy them, and I wouldn't say we had to do a whole lot more over and above what we were doing anyway. This was a few years ago now. I do know that for a couple we met on training they had to volunteer at a nursery to gain more experiece.

Good Luck xx

We're a couple and have had to provide 2 friends and a family member for each of us so 4 in total.

I've got 20+yrs childcare work experience so needed to give every parent or employer as a reference as I could.

My husband (eventhough we have 7 nieces and nephews) has to do some volunteering which we're trying to sort out through the pandemic.

Hello!

We have had to provide 6 references in total. I've got a lot of experience with children but we both had to do extra overnight and my husband did some volunteering. I think that in general, you should just be ready to roll with it in terms of demands from your sw or local authority. If they want to see more, you have to show more!

Hello

We had to provide the same number of references and were also asked to obtain some childcare experience by volunteering. However, the childcare experience was requested quite late in the process so could not be set up in time before panel so in the end it did not happen.

It's always beneficial so as the others advise I would go with it.

Good luck!

In terms of references we had 4 references one family and three friends then the childcare experience as i worked with children for 20 years didnt have to do voluntary work but we had to have friends children overnight i did find it a bit much and i wasnt particularly happy with the idea but i did it My hubby had to work with beaver every wednesday but with covid and beavers been shut had to stop that and they were alright with it i just would go with what they say to keep them happy my moto.

if ever you need advice i am happy to help i am at matching now waiting for a potential match

Hi there,

I have a query regarding Volunteering. I spoke to an agency and they have informed me that they want me to have 3 months of Voluntary work under my belt before I can even go on their Pre-Stage 1 day, let alone actually starting the process.

During a Pandemic it is very hard to do this and I have recently had an operation that would make it hard at present to attend any voluntary work, although my recovery is not far off.

I heard from Adoption UK that Voluntary childcare work is not compulsory and that they have heard that a lot of agencies (mainly London based) have been saying this lately and that they are investigating it. I wanted to find out whether what Adoption UK had said was correct or if like this agency has stated, it is indeed compulsory for me to get large amounts of Childcare under my belt before really starting my journey.

Honestly I thought the voluntary work could be conducted in conjunction with Stage 1 and even into Stage 2.

Look forward to getting some clarification

Thanks

I am in the North of England and this wasn't mentioned to us from our agency, we have some chidcare experience but not masses, at panel they mentioned trying to get some more if we could and we were approved but with it being the height of lockdown it wasn't possible. This didn't hinder our searches at all and we went to matching panel last week and were approved (YAY!), our level of childcare experience was never questioned or talked about through the matching process. I'm sorry I can't clarify for you but it does seem odd especially given that adopted children's needs and parenting approach is so bespoke.

We went through the process 8 years ago and it has been restructured since, but even then there were vast differences in what kind of child care experience different agencies and different sw in those agencies expected. I would contact a few other agencies and see what they say.